Entry 1

To Shinganshina

Year 844, four years after the incident...

The air that hang over the Survey Corps as they returned was thick and heavy, like an unspoken veil of death that you could almost grasp with your hands.

Not like they had been a cheery bunch anyway. Any new recruit foolish enough to carry even a spark, a speck of optimism had it beaten out of them by vicious displays of death that grace them beyond the walls. It goes without saying that every Survey Corps soldier is a veteran from the second outing.

Today though, the murmur of death was louder. Its cold whisper had silenced most of the soldiers. The air itself had become like lead above them.

Erwin sighed as his eyes swept over his surviving soldiers, his brave, valiant but wounded and grave men. Their numbers had again dwindled. But today was, in his mind, to be remembered with triumph. For the Survey Corps had gained an invaluable asset.

He was, of course, talking about Levi Ackerman.

Barely his first expedition beyond Wall Maria, Levi had made enough solo kills that a handful of veteran soldiers could boast about in their entire career. When the young man entered the Survey Corps, he and his follo- friends were scorned by its members for their brazen attitude and unceremonious admission. But Erwin, of course, saw differently.

However, things had changed in a matter of hours after the expedition began on the second day. The Survey Corps now regarded Levi with fear, silent admiration and, for some, he'd daresay even hope. But as they mourned their fallen comrades that evening no one spoke of it. No one spoke of anything.

The click of military boots sharp against the stone floor of the old abandoned fortress where they'd camped for the night reached Erwin's ears. Within seconds, Commander Keith Shadis of the Survey Corps was by Erwin's side, surveying the soldiers.

"What's the count?" The Commander asked Erwin after he'd saluted him.

"Eighteen, Commander." Erwin replied. It was an unspoken understanding as he said the number of the dead.

The Commander nodded. Again, there was an unspoken agreement between them.

"We need new recruits." Stated Erwin quite factually.

Shadis almost laughed. "So? Tell me something I didn't know."

Erwin continued. "The 98th Trainee squad should be graduating by the time we returned from this expedition. There are reports of some exceptional talent this year." Said the young squad leader.

"Hmph, always on the look-out, aren't you Erwin?" His commanding officer chuckled. When Erwin raised a brow questioningly, Shadis elaborated on his thoughts. "Your new rookie from the underground inspires the men more and more everyday. Some are going so far as to call him 'Humanity's Strongest Soldier.' What a joke," Sadis said with a dark gleam in his eyes.

"Though hardly far-fetched." Replied Erwin evenly.

"Well, it doesn't matter if that rookie is worth 100 men." Shadis continued, snorting. "I'm leaving the recruits to you, Erwin. Since you like to be involved in these non-sensical things."

"Yes, sir." One can't tell if Erwin was happy from his tone, but the corner of his mouth curled into an almost imperceptible smile as Commander Shadis walked away.

"One more thing, Erwin. I'd like to have a pep talk with your newest asset. Where can I find him?"

"I've no idea, sir."

Shadis turned his eyes sceptically towards Erwin. The man was one of the few people whom Shaids couldn't tell when he was lying.

"What do you mean? He's been re-assigned to your division, hasn't he?" Commented Shadis, turning a steel-like, scrutinizing eye towards Erwin, who seemed as unfazed as ever.

"Even if I were his commanding officer, I don't control him, Commander." Erwin lightly explained, before the Commander could reprimand him for not keeping track of his subordinates. "He's the very embodiment of the Wings of Freedom that we stand for."

"That's supposed to mean he's undisciplined? How disappointing, Erwin." Said Shadis sourly. He was about to add the fact that Erwin should at least try to reign in his latest subordinate, lest the brat cause damage to Erwin's reputation as Squad Leader, but Erwin cut him off with lighter words.

"It's all for the best. I wouldn't recommend speaking to him at the moment. He's lost two of his friends today. He'll lash out, even on you, Commander." He looked at Keith pointedly, as if he fully expected everything he said to play out.

"You think I'm afraid of one brat from the underground, Erwin? You're getting more disrespectful by the day." The man scoffed, the shadows under his eyes growing.

Erwin smiled, detecting a subtle hint of amusement from the Corps Commander. "I'd like to think of myself as a sensible man." He said in a humble voice.

"Keep flattering yourself." Shadis sneered. He lengthened his strides until he was walking ahead, though not before his voice carried back to Erwin. "Don't forget. New recruits."

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"Levi."

Erwin approached the stoic figure in the hall under the dim and flickering torchlight. Shadows seem to cling to this person, who seemed as though he could slip out of sight just as effortlessly.

His name echoed the solitary hall, but he didn't make the slightest indication that he'd heard, appearing to be casually leaning against the wall. Although the Ackerman made no move, it seemed he briefly considered just ignoring his squad leader and striding down the hall.

A small smile lurked on Erwin's lip as if he'd guessed the other's intention, and he fearlessly walked towards the man.

"How are you feeling?"

Something in Levi twitched at the sound of Erwin's voice. His eyes narrowed to a glare, the warning and irritation in them clear. "Spit it out, Erwin. What do you want?"

Erwin seemed content to get straight to the point. "Tomorrow I'm visiting the Trainee Corps' Southern Division to meet some potential recruits. I'd like you to come with me." He amiably explained. "Due to the unusual circumstances of your admission to the Survey Corps, it would be good for you to get acquainted to the procedures."

There was a pause, in which Levi regarded the man before him with an incredulous eye.

"No."

He stepped away from his leaning place against the wall, prompted by an unknown destination. He would gladly drop Erwin in his own conversation, if all the man had was a useless offer. He wasn't in the mood to talk, not to anyone. And especially not to Erwin.

"Levi!" Erwin's voice boomed. It contained no anger, but the sheer commanding weight of it made the corridor suddenly feel smaller.

With the deepest reluctance, Levi stopped in his tracks. Resentfully, he inclined his head slightly to meet the taller man's piercing blue stare.

Erwin continued in a steady voice, relaying information on the latest trainee batch, as if the show of insubordination hadn't happened. Levi listened suspiciously, wondering if Erwin really intended to let him off, or was the punishment simply delayed until he finished speaking.

"So what?" He finally ask, bored and increasingly annoyed. Come punishment, there was nothing Erwin can do to- The man had to come up with better strategic shit if he wanted Levi to do his bidding.

"No. I was asking you as a friend." Erwin Smith remarked.

In an instant his disgruntled mood had flared into something more sinister. Levi turned to fully face the man, his eyes containing every bit of venom he felt.

"I'll make this clear, Erwin. I am not your friend," He said furiously, "I may have had second-thoughts about killing you, but that does not mean we're suddenly allies."

Erwin was undeterred by the intensity of Levi's scowl, and the menace in his voice. In fact, a feeling that he was being read by that stern gaze suddenly surfaced. Despite his resentment, distinct discomfort arose in Levi's mind.

"You're right." Erwin said at last. "You may not be my friend, but at the moment you are subordinate. Allow me to rephrase it. It's an order."

"Tch." Levi pulled back, clicking his tongue.

Satisfied that he'd cajoled Levi into doing something the latter didn't want, a lightest smirk tugged at Erwin's mouth as he strode idly away from his subordinate. "I expect you to report in at 6:40 tomorrow after inspection. You're dismissed."

Left alone at last in the flickering torchlight, Levi scowled at the walls, coming to the vivid conclusion that He. Hated. Erwin. The past be damned. Levi might've decided not to blame him for Farlan and Isabel's death, but he'd do anything to be kept from that man's presence right now.

Levi was alone (or under that sweet illusion) for about six seconds before a noisy Hanji Zoe burst into the corridor like a hungry titan.

"Levi, I heard you're going with Erwin to Shiganshina District tomorrow." She squealed, a wide toothy smile plastered on her face. "What a coincidence, I'm coming too!"

Levi's mind changed instantly. He almost wished that Erwin didn't walk away so quickly. At least his company would could be used to divide Hanji's attention.

"We'll have so much fun! Say, you wanna hear my trainee days stories? One time, I caused this giant explosion that nearly blew up the food storage. You should've seen the instructor's face at the time. It was hilarious! This other time they cut the ropes during 3DMG training..."

Levi simply stalked off in the direction of his own quarters. He was no in the mood for Hanji's stupid stories or her obsession with that bastard Commander Shadis.

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Guys, guys. Did you read the chapter 89? In typical Shingeki no Kyojin fashion, Isayama manages to make the whole thing more mysterious just as our biggest questions were being answered. I expected no less than a dark, hopeless situation from sensei as a New Year present!

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