The perspectives jump a bit here since all 3 characters needed to be written so for this chapter only I won't specify!

"Happy Birthday, Historia."

Levi watched as her panicked eyes danced all around his face, searching desperately for peace but only finding hell. It was a familiar sight, a reflection of a state he knew all too well. He trailed his thumb over her tear stained face once more – it had grown cold. Though there was the absence of guilt and sorrow, he felt something digging into him, wounding him. Regardless of the deterioration of her mental state, the curtains needed to fall, the act had to end – her little fairytale world would crumble all around her. He was quick to notice the emblem hanging around her neck. He pinched the gold piece between his fingers and rubbed the glossed texture of the wings.

How ironic that she'd be wearing this.

"Tch..."

"GET AWAY FROM HER!"

A growl echoed and instinctively, Levi's nameless little smile returned.

His arrival was as expected; only, Erwin was a lot faster than he originally anticipated. Such a great detective he was – Levi chuckled mentally. Gingerly, he stood up, turning his attention to the man standing before the beaming light.

"We meet again, Detective Erwin." The words spilled from his lips composedly, despite the gun pointed directly at him. "I see you didn't forget your gun this time – great job." He mocked, his mechanical smile now twisting into such an honest and ugly little thing. Levi put his right hand in his pocket, watching as Erwin approached, hesitance in his steps towards the Monster.

He reveled in the way Erwin's eyebrows furrowed, his eyes burning with animus. What amused him most was the absence of fear, as their shadows seem to intertwine, him now standing right before him. Without breaking eye contact, Erwin said,

"Historia, are you alright?" and the blonde quivered, breaking from her trance. Slowly, she raised her head, revealing the sweet torment within her blue eyes as she replied confused,

"Hi-Historia?"

Erwin firmed his hand on the gun, finger trailing over its trigger. Yet, he never broke his gaze off Levi. He was slightly annoyed that his reunion with Historia had been interrupted. But perhaps these two meeting would benefit him in the grand scheme of things.

Erwin's bloodlust pooled in his eyes but his body and mind was disciplined clearly, in the way he restrained himself from acting upon it.

He made it look easy, staring into the eyes of the devil.

Could it be – it was because he was one himself?

There was the itch to dig and dig until he lost that great control. Levi placed his index finger upon his forehead and said,

"Why won't you pull the trigger?"

"…"

"Or is the Wings of Freedom only interested in executing children?" Levi shared his words laced with venom and yet, Erwin did not budge. Levi raised an eyebrow, shocked that he could not be baited with the weight of his sins.

"I have many questions I need answers for – and I need you alive to get them."

"Is that so?" Levi dropped his arm back to his side, his face growing grim.

"Historia!" Erwin demanded, the deepness of his voice reawakening Krista back to her senses. She looked at him once more.

"Retreat behind me please." And with one hand cocking his gun, the other was held out to the trembling blonde. Erwin was smart to never take his eyes off Levi – he was a formidable man by instinct alone. Casually, Levi went to check his watch and his eyes tensed. Not enough time passed – he needed to buy more.

Levi watched as Historia was slowly breaking out of her tomb of fear.

"What is it you want answers for, Detective?" and his voice alone seem to shatter her illusion of courage. Once again he brought his eyes to the determined man before him, shining a mechanical smile as he waited for his reply.

"Why I killed your partner, perhaps?" He took a stab but Erwin did not even flinch upon mentioning his friend. Levi realized he wouldn't be able to play on the man's emotions, no – he was a special kind of monster too.

Levi snickered amusingly.

"Or is it that you're curious about Kinderheim 511?" and finally, Levi saw a sparkle of interest gleam in that man's round blue eyes.

"We will discuss this back at the station." Erwin spoke harshly before softening his tone as he beckoned to her once again, "Historia – please, come with me." And her gaze shifted from Levi to Erwin.

"I can just show you instead, Detective Erwin…" Levi said with a snake-like tone as his smile vanished. Then within seconds, Levi produced a blade from his pocket, the blade spinning just as he grabbed its handle and charged toward the blond. Erwin was stunned, eyes widening with shock at his speed. He shot but missed Levi entirely even though he was right in front of him.

Was it madness that Erwin perceived Levi's movement as faster than a bullet?

Erwin did not have the time to rationalize what happened because Levi's bloodlust made his hairs stand up on his neck, telling him he needed to act quick or he was going to fall victim.

With such ferocity, Levi clashed his blade against Erwin's pistol, the detective being reduced to using his gun to block a head on attack. Erwin's boots slide back despite how grounded his footing was and he could only stare into the eyes of the devil as Levi displayed his inhumane strength in front of him. As the reality of the situation registered in Erwin's mind, Levi jumped back and started his rapid attacks again – leaving the blond to play on the defensive; only being able to dodge his every attack.

Levi changed up his maneuver and aggressively spun and kicked his foot upwards, sending Erwin into the air. Erwin expected to have the wind knocked out of him as his back slammed against the concrete of the ground – but Levi appeared in front of him, as if he could fly. Erwin stared in utter disbelief as the other stared deep into the windows of his soul before close lining him, his arm curving just over his throat. Without mercy, Levi pulled him along in the air before slamming and dragging Erwin's body into the ground. Levi did a flip, landing on his feet firmly while Erwin continued to slide on the ground like a rag doll in front of Historia.

Erwin coughed out an air of agony, saliva mixed with blood. He winced in pain, feeling rocks sticking to his neck and back of his head along the small cuts that formed. Yet, he still found the strength to sit up. Levi stood nonchalantly feet away, blade still in his hand. Erwin knew that if Levi wanted to, he could have capitalized on his disoriented state and kept on with his attacks. But the shorter male was toying with him – showing him the beast that mankind had produced. Erwin smiled as things were beginning to make sense; grinning through the pain and his bloodied mouth.

"You're quite strong Detective Erwin – I'm surprised." Levi was shocked that the man was still conscious and able to move.

"Ha…I could say the same about you; you little shit…" Erwin chuckled bitterly as he wiped the blood from his lips. Gingerly, Erwin went to stand up – but as he lifted his head, he noticed a smaller figure standing in front of him. To both of the men's shock, Historia was standing between them with her arms out.

"Historia…?" Erwin stuttered out of disbelief that she was defending him – it was an odd play of events compared to their situations years ago where the roles were reversed. He watched as her body tensed, she refused to speak. But what was most important, was Levi's expression and inability to move. Levi stared at her with such a softened expression before he turned his gaze to the ground – like he was defeated by her presence alone.

Erwin briefly started to question his previous assumption about Levi and his intent to harm Historia. If Levi was getting rid of his string of family members for some twisted plan; why would he keep her alive? It was in that moment, Erwin remembered why he was following Historia's trail to begin with.

Levi's murderous cycle would claim her parents as victims. Erwin stood up and grabbed Historia with a rush of adrenaline as he screamed, "Historia – we need to get back to your family right now!"

"W-what are you talking about?!" She replied, remnants of tears still lingering along the edges of her eyes.

"You shouldn't go back." Levi replied dryly, forcing the pair to look at him as he went to check his watch. The air grew heavy around them as Erwin did not have the courage to ask him what he meant; not in front of Historia.

"…They are probably still there."

"Wh-who are you talking about?" Erwin demanded but Levi only looked to the sky as if God was speaking.

"Mother!" A desperate scream snapped the two men from their stubborn trance and it was only then did Erwin realize Historia was running away towards the only exit route available.

"Wait-His-hold on!" Erwin struggled to make a choice, continue clashing with Levi or protecting the young girl who was running into a trap. He saw how Levi was watching Historia run from his peripherals, but he did nothing to move.

Without uttering another word, Detective Erwin turned and started after Historia, leaving behind the one man he was obsessing over for months; even though he was finally right in front of him.

Levi completely turned his back on them, closing his eyes as the breeze of the night brushed against his face. His expression was blank, empty just like the rest of him. But as he opened his eyes and stared at the blackness above – his soul was apparent within his steel grey orbs and there lingered regret, sorrow and pain.

To be continued.

Will update very soon!