The cooling wind felt refreshing against the soldier's skin, the sun brightly laid ahead of them. Eren moved Levi onto his back, readying himself for running.

"Let's get going, Captain." Without looking back, Eren jogged forward, becoming only focused on getting to the wall safely. The pain caused by yesterday's encounter had died down dramatically, only leaving Eren stiff and achy. Levi however looked ten times worse. His skin turned to a sickening greenish white colour, soaked with blood and dirt, and his left arm turned into a blackish purple, still lying lifeless by the soldiers side. Rivaille's eyes were no longer shiny, but had dulled and become static. There was no way to tell, as Levi remained silent, but if you were to judge by looking, you would imagine him to be on his deathbed.

The streets were silent, the silence only broken by the footsteps and loud pants of the soldier. Ahead stood Wall Rose, tall and powerful. They were so close; so close to their safety. Where were the other soldiers? Why had they not appeared?

Then came the noise. A blood curdling scream coming from their rights. Surprised, Eren stopped, turning to the sound, only to be met with a darkness and a flash of pain.

Eren's eyes opened slowly and reluctantly, pain flowing though every nerve in his body. He couldn't move. He couldn't hear a thing. As his vision gradually returned, he could see the rumble surrounding him. Whole chunks of buildings covered the street, bricks and planks of wood, broken and scattered everywhere. Eren had no idea exactly what had hit him, but whatever it was caused some serious damage, to him and his surroundings.

Suddenly, the realisation hit him. Levi wasn't next to him. Where had he gone? Was he alright? Was he even alive? All sorts of questions began running through the soldiers head as he started to panic. Not a single muscle would move. No matter how hard he tried to move, he just couldn't. Eren's body had given in. The images running through his head of the corporal were driving him insane. This couldn't be happening. Not when they were so close to safety. Not when they were so close. Tears started filling in the blood shot eyes of the soldier. Never before had he felt so useless as he did in that one moment, not even being able to yell his name. Was this it? Was this the end of their struggles? To die without each other by their sides?

The view of a titan approaching was blurred by his tears, but was still all so clear. In its hand lay the body of a bloody soldier, lifeless and limp, and in its mouth lay another.

With the mix of tears and blood soaking Eren's face, he slowly began to shut his eyes, squinting the last of his tears from his eyes.

I guess...

This is the end then...

I'm sorry...

Heichou...

The feel of a cold hand pressed against his cheek. Quickly, Eren's eyes opened, only to be met by another's.

Levi's.

Why couldn't his words escape his mouth. Why couldn't he simply say his name and smile?

Eren could see the lips of the corporal move, but no voice could be heard.

Though Levi's expression was always the same, everyone knew that he expressed himself through his eyes. They were no longer dulled, but were filled with so many emotions. Even though his words could not be heard at that moment, it was all so clear that he was concerned, scared, fearful, relieved, angry, sad, lost , all at the same time.

But oh how he wished he could hear his words... his sweet, deep voice that always sent shivers through him... how Eren longed for it...

Rivaille's arm no longer looked like anything Eren had even seen. It was completely paralytic and lifeless, a shade of purple so dark that had never been noted. Blood dripped all over his white, pale skin, staining and smearing all over him. He looked exhausted, looking so close to death.

Eren's attention went back to Levi's lips, which were white in colour. Faintly, Eren could see them quiver and shake. What was Levi saying? Why did he look so lost? Suddenly, Levi's lips stopped moving, as tears began to roll down his face. Eren's eyes widened in shock as the corporal's tears fell onto the soldier's cheek. At the last moment, Eren caught note of three more words being said. There was no way of knowing what those words were, but the 15 year old knew deep down that they were deep, deep words.

Rivaille slowly lifted his hand off of Eren's cheek and stood up.

Don't go...

Heichou...

No...

Turning around, Levi now faced the titan before him, sweat dripping down the sides of his face, his breathing heavy. With his usable arm, he unsheathed his blade and readied himself.

HEICHOU!

NO!

Levi released the wire from his 3DMG and curved around the titan.

The deafening silence was driving Eren insane. He couldn't even beg him to stop and run away from it all. No way could he manage to kill that titan with just his one good arm.

STOP!

RUN!

RUN AWAY!

NO!

HEICHOU!