"Alright... I'll join the Survey Corps," Levi said with a scowl.

"Levi-bro... do you think Mira will be there?" Isabel asked him.

Levi didn't respond. He had the same thoughts running through his mind though. What if she's not? he thought. He shook those thoughts away.

They were led through the military campgrounds and shown to their rooms. They were then introduced to all their new comrades.

"This is Levi,"

Levi scanned the crowd quickly. Mira wasn't there.

Throughout the week Levi found himself blanking out, especially when a person like Flagon was talking.

Levi breathed in the fresh air. He was outside the walls. You're right Mira, he thought. It is breathtaking.

Levi sliced through his first titan.

"Easy enough," he could hear Mira say.

That night they stayed in an abandoned castle. Levi leaned against the wall as he waited for Farlan and Isabel to retrieve Erwin's documents.

"Dammit... hurry up you two," he muttered. He heard footsteps echoing down the hallway. It was Erwin. His enemy.

"What are you up to, here alone? Aren't your subordinates with you?" Erwin asked.

"... they're not my subordinates," Levi replied.

"...I see,"

They paused in a bit of an awkward silence.

"So how are you adjusting to military life?" Erwin asked.

"Lousy. All anyone talks ever talks about is titans, with that stifling look on their face,"

"Of course. The Survey Corps attracts people like that,"

"I'm sure with you at the top of that list,"

What made you join something like this, Mira?

"Your fight today was brilliant. You defeated an abnormal so easily on your first expedition. I'm sure having a natural like you around will make others feel safer,"

Levi paused. "...back then, there was a soldier who got eaten. I figured out how to fight that titan because I watched how it moved while it was eating him,"

"...I see. As you've realized the Survey Corps was built upon countless such sacrifices. There are still too many things we don't know about the outside world,"

Erwin continued his eyes fixed on Levi. "But if it means taking the world back for humanity, I'm sure none of them regret dedicating their hearts to the cause. Not one. Not even Mira," he said turning.

Levi's eyes flickered. "What did you-"

"Levi! I finished changing so you can come on back now!" Isabel yelled.

Levi followed her reluctantly, staring as Erwin walked down the hall.

Levi couldn't sleep that night. Not like he ever could.

"Not even Mira,"

Levi looked at Isabel and Farlan. I'm not going to lose you guys too. This time I'll be there to protect you.

Levi screamed in rage as he sliced the red-eyed abnormal titan to bits. Tears fell down his face. He stood there, gripping his swords.

"Are you the only one left?" Erwin asked jumping off his horse. "Did you kill all these titans?"

Levi tackled Erwin to the ground. Mike drew out his sword, but Levi held out his sword. "Stay back,"

Levi held his sword to Erwin's neck.

"I'm going to kill you bastard. That's why I'm here,"

"It was a bluff," Erwin said throwing Lobov's papers onto the ground. "It's all over for Lovof,"

Levi scowled. "It wasn't worth throwing away their lives! They nothing more than pawns in your worthless game,"

Levi's eyes glared at Erwin. "Well, you lose," he said swinging his sword.

Erwin grabbed it as blood seeped from his hand.

"Who was the one that killed your friends? Was it me? Was it you?"

Levi looked down.

"I'm selfish. A selfish idiot," Mira said.

"It was me. My own pride. My selfishness,"

"IT WAS THE TITANS! Not me.. not you," Erwin yelled. His eyes flickered. "Mira Heichou used to carry every death as a burden she had to bear. It wasn't until the very end when she understood..."

"Erwin?" Mira said quietly.

"Yes, Heichou?" he asked.

"When I die... I would like you to be the next squad leader,"

"Mira..."

Mira smiled. "When I look at you... I can see a genuine fire in your eyes. You find freedom by looking for answers outside the walls. The Survey Corps needs a leader like that,"

"Where do you find freedom?"

"Inside the walls, you can never see the horizon. The possibilities aren't endless because our world is so small. It's like a cage, we're trapped inside with no escape. But outside the walls...

The sky is so blue. The air is so fresh. And the land stretches out as far as the eye can see. It makes me feel like my dream can be achieved,"

Mira looked at Erwin. "Would you believe me if I told you I could leave this place?"

"If you could... would you?" he asked.

Her eyes strayed. "I... don't think I would,"

"Why? Why would you stay if you could leave this living hell?"

"Because there are people I can't take with me," she said. "I'd rather die with them than leave and truly be free,"

Erwin looked down. "Is there someone waiting for you?"

Mira's eyes narrowed. "Yeah. I made a promise... though I'm afraid of what he might do if I break it,"

Mira sighed. "He has a terrible attitude almost all the time, including the fact that he's ruthless and bloody at times, but...

at the end of the day, he's a good person. I just hope that he'll understand... if I don't return. I just want him to experience the freedom I've felt... I hope that he'll realize... freedom comes with sacrifice. But I have no regrets over the sacrifices I've made... even if it comes to my own life,"

"Will you kill me and return back to the dark underground? Or will you experience the freedom Mira always wanted you to have?" Erwin said towering over Levi.

"We won't give up on going outside the walls. Fight with the Survey Corps, Levi! Humanity needs your strength!"

Levi felt the wind on his face. Thoughts of Mira, Isabel, and Farlan flooded his mind.

"There's freedom out there... freedom you couldn't understand unless you felt it," Mira said.

Levi dropped his sword.

"Alright... Erwin. I will follow you,"