Part X
So, he shed his human skin,
"Is it better to out-monster the monster or to be quietly devoured?"
-Friedrich Nietzsche
"What do you mean 'kidnap'?!" Jean demanded loudly, catching the attention of a few scientists nearby.
"Shh, shh, can't go around spilling our secrets" She hushed, a dark glint in her eyes beginning to glow "unless you want to face the commanders wrath."
He gulped, before shaking his head, his mouth closed tightly as if to not say anything more. He'd noticed that the others around them had also grown silent, but started to pick back up when Hanji started to stare at them.
"Wonderful! Let's be on our way!" She said happily. Almost skipping along as she led him to an office-like area; he only followed behind at what he deemed to be a safe distance. She seemed to be in a good mood today and that never bode well for anyone. He hated to admit it, but he missed the days when the captain would shut her up, or at least got her to keep her creepy thoughts to herself. Though, due to the recent revelations that everyone had been gossiping about, such things were almost taboo to admit. A captain arrested under such shady conditions? The idea of a ghoul conspirator was flying around and as much as he'd like to defend the captain, he wouldn't risk social suicide for such a guy.
Only scum would turn against their own race, he thought. He doesn't deserve any help if that's the case.
He wouldn't want to be caught as a sympathizer for a guy like that in a million years.
Arriving at what appeared to be her own personal office (he forgets that she was the head of a large department), she shakes off her white lab coat and throws on a larger and darker trench coat. His eyes narrow for a second as he thinks he sees a metallic object in her pocket but shakes it off. He'd really rather not know. Grabbing her own case, she swings her arms a few times, judging the weight of her case and Levi's case. The sight is odd, but if it's her, nothing is ever too odd. But, he does realize that this is a good time to ask a few questions.
"A-are we really going to kidnap someone?" He asks, his moral conscience pulling at him.
"Well, maybe not kidnap…"
Oh thank god.
"But we do have to bully someone a little!"
Poor soul. He thinks, genuinely pitying. What an unlucky bastard.
"Commander Erwin didn't like this person's behavior a few days ago so we have to… take care of them." She says, a grin growing on her face. "We just need them to lay off of work for a bit, but it's preferable if they don't come back for a while."
Wait a second. Taking a sharp breath in, he feels his morals calling to him.
"Are you telling me that we have to-"
"They won't die! Honestly, why is everyone so scared?" In a huff she sits on her desk, briefcases by her side. "Even Erwin had to specify, 'Don't kill anyone Hanji' Like I'd done it before!"
The young investigator lets out a large sigh of relief; he didn't want to have to become a murderer.
(A part of him whispers: 'But, you're a paid one, aren't you?' and he only argues that it's for the greater good for humanity, not really willing to have that internal struggle just yet).
There were a few occasions where he had come to question his profession but when his mind wanders back to those he'd already lost and had decided that this was a cause that he was going to die by. A little extreme, but he never did consider himself the type for a boring office job elsewhere. He wanted to make a change, admittedly, he didn't in the past but that loudmouth brat Eren had a point. He wasn't going to idly sit by as innocents died just for a meal. No, he won't accept that.
Suddenly, a clicking brought him back.
"Hey, hello? Anyone home?" Clicking her fingers in front of his eyes with a curious look on her face, Hanji stood incredibly close to him – and he didn't even notice! Staggering back a few steps, he resisted yelling out as she only gave a happier look.
At that moment it dawned on him how truly afraid he should be. Not only was she a top scientist, but also a hardened investigator, overruled by her curiosity of the ghouls. She was once part of an elite team, headed by the imprisoned captain and it would make sense that she would be able to sneak up on him so well.
"Now that you're done daydreaming, should we be on our way?"
Gathering himself, he nodded, leaning down to pick up his own briefcase.
Before they leave, he interjects one more time, Hanji stilling as she holds her keys in her hands.
"Um, who exactly are we, umm," He pauses for thought for a moment, "bullying?"
"Do you know what has happened recently?" He assumes she's talking about the recent Levi case, but… How are they connected?
"A bit, but I don't know what that has to do… with this…" His speech slows as he slowly catches on. "The target is involved with that case? They're one of us?!"
"Bingo! That's right. They're an informant of ours. They aren't officially with us though." She stops, pondering with a hand on her chin.
"Wait-! That means they're practically still a civilian! Can we really do this?"
"I told you, they behaved badly, and now they're getting punished. Their information was absolutely terrible. And one of ours got hurt badly as a result. So we'd like to pay them back."
"But-"
"If it helps you out, they're also suspected of being a ghoul."
That shut him up. Can't argue with that.
Hanji however, resists a frown on her face. She knows she shouldn't (it is her job) but the situation with Levi had her thinking… Not all ghouls are terrible. Or, at least, as terrible as they could be. And this kind of reaction should be expected, even encouraged - but she can't help feel a little angry at his willingness to kill them.
"Erwin has a thing for unconventional methods. Don't tell anyone, okay?" Her tone was light but as her glasses hid her eyes for a brief moment and Jean felt the room temperature immediately drop. "Because if you do… we might have to punish you too."
He nods, feeling a cold sweat form on his brow as she glared at him with a steely coldness he'd only ever seen on Erwin.
Just what have I gotten myself into?
"Good. First, we have to drop these babies off at Erwin's office" she said, pointing to Levi's case, "Then we need to go to the thirteenth ward."
"Wait- the commander wanted something with Eren, Armin and Mikasa - are they doing something similar?" He has hope, for a brief second - Maybe if that were the case he'd be able to tell them-
"Nope! They're doing something else. Something much more dangerous. Ahaha!" She laughs at the end, almost making it sound funny, but he isn't so sure.
This isn't a laughing matter. He was never directly involved with the whole Levi situation, and he's already tasked with something like this… He can only imagine what kind of thing his friends were doing now. They were close with him to begin with, but if the rumors were true… He'd take missions like this over whatever they were doing any day.
With a heavy mind, he follows behind her. Trusting that he's doing the right thing.
-x-
The elevator ride was silent.
The four stood in silence, a heavy tenseness in the air. They looked focused but Erwin knew better. All stood in separate corners, Armin clutched his case in front of him with both of his hands – his grip tightening occasionally and his eyebrows tensing before relaxing again. Mikasa was calm, her façade not giving anything away as she stood confidently while Eren looked antsy, unable to keep himself from shuffling or moving to a new position every few seconds. He was nervous, though that was nothing too shocking. He wasn't as well versed as his friends in hiding his emotions, but seeing him try did put his friends' hearts at ease.
(Honesty was for fools, but his was oddly charming).
Erwin himself remained steadfast in his expression, keeping a level-headedness which befit a man of his title. It would be hard to find comfort in a man who would literally stop at nothing to get what he wants, even if it meant literally stabbing one of his own.
Soon, the elevator stilled, and the familiar ding of the door could be heard. Heads snapped up and soon left, leading themselves into a reception like area. Though no words were exchanged, it would seem that everyone was ready and waiting, Armin not failing to notice the greater amount of armed soldiers and a few more investigators standing guard near the scientists that bustled by. For a place that was normally high in activity, voices were amiss, and some even looked fearful (as they should be), despite being out of his range.
Armin also didn't fail to notice the shaking hands of some scientists in some of the open labs as they tried to conduct their usual experiments, some looked terrified whilst some looked a little too eager to do their jobs. He suspected the stress was forcing them into such a state, but he wasn't sure whether it was because of the stress or if they were truly like that. He wonders what they would be like in the face of an actual ghoul. Could they face the 'evil' they probed at on a daily basis or would their morals catch up to them?
It wasn't long until they'd reached the main detainment area. Much like the main detainment facility in another ward, it was a pristine white - from the walls and floors to the endless ceiling that looked as if it could go on for miles. They could house only up to around 50 or so ghouls; only five of which were high security and had the capability hold ghouls ranked A and upwards. From what he remembered, their captain was classified as a rank SS, incredibly dangerous. And only those who were special class investigators could engage with those of his calibre. They had time on their side as he was still an amnesiac, and so he was less of a threat… but how long would that last?
Standing in the centre of a large clear ground, they waited. Eren looking visibly confused, as he looked to a nearby staircase.
"Aren't we going up? I thought you said he was here?" He said, pointing up to the cells.
"He is. He's right in front of us."
Before Eren could continue, the floor before them started to rise in a square shape and a tall white column arose from the ground. Eren took a few steps back, apparently new to the whole process.
"Wha- what is that?!" He exclaimed, more amazed than scared.
"This is one of our high security cells. Is this your first time?" Erwin asked, his voice curious.
"Y-yeah. I didn't know we had these. Why are they underground?"
"The same reason why this entire facility is underground. To give as much distance as possible."
(And to give us a chance to kill them before they got out. Armin wanted to add, though he didn't think that would sit well with Eren, given the circumstances).
That made sense, He thought.
Eren only nodded, composing himself as the outline of a door could be seen as the tower of white slowly stopped growing.
"Are you ready?"
'No' was the silent answer, but he continued to proceed anyway. Waving a hand up at the staff behind the class window a floor above them, a small nod was given in affirmation and a button was pressed as the doors slowly slid open.
At first, there was only darkness. They could only see what the small rectangle of light cast by the door had let them see, a pale white floor.
No one, nothing moved.
Then, a pale foot stepped into the light. Followed by another and then the entire torso and body. Reaching up to cover his eyes of the blinding light he was deprived of, he slowly walks past the threshold of his cell and onto the main floor.
Everything stilled for a few moments, breaths were held, and investigators and soldiers alike tensed as they anticipated a ghoul to try to tear them apart from the moment the doors opened.
"Came to finish me off yourselves?" He asks, his voice croaky and hoarse. Spotting the three in front of him, he simply clicks his tongue in annoyance. "You fuckers must be as bored as shit if you're all here."
Eren is first to speak.
"H-Heichou, I didn't know-"
"Don't bullshit me Jeager, even you aren't that fucking stupid." He cuts him off quickly, his tone suddenly gruff and angry. This sets the guards further on edge, many with their trigger fingers ready, and their target in their sight. The few who weren't quickly assumed the position everyone else had taken, clearly new. Scientists in the 'safe zone' (as in, safer than those on the other side) felt pitiful for the new ones, but it wasn't as if they were anything more than disposable muscle. At least – to them.
"Sir, I'm serious! I didn't know a thing-"
"Eren." Armin's voice calls, silencing him. Eren looks at him pleadingly but getting nothing other than a stern look and a silent "Stop it."
He won't listen to us.
He was hoping Eren had caught on, but Armin was more than certain that Levi would never come to believe them; hell, they'd be lucky if he even had an ounce of respect left for them. Steely grey eyes stared at them, and his gaze could only be described as a mix between annoyed and disgusted. Only he was capable of tearing down a person by just looking at them, but this one looked to judge them, and the verdict was clear.
He blinked and his eye immediately turned a familiar black and red, before disappearing again, cracking his neck in a way that Erwin found oh so similar. He feels the start of a fight approaching, as does the trio as they each hover their thumbs over the release lock on their quinque. The guards took this as a sign to release the safety latches and prepare for battle but a quick order through their earpieces only moved them towards protecting the exits and other cells.
Of course, Levi notices and is more than willing to indulge them in a quick spar. He's more than aware of his pressing injuries and his less than desirable physical state, whilst also being heavily disadvantaged but he hopes to scare them, even a little.
(He's aiming for the limbs but human blood is such a pain to wash off, but it is oh so tempting. Having not eaten for a few hours has set his stomach and would love to take a bite out of them).
"You fuckers didn't come here to talk right? So how about we skip the shit and get down to business!"
Rushing forwards with an inhuman speed, he quickly adjusts to his body. He smirks as he feels his muscles work more efficiently than ever even when injured and he leaps up to hopefully catch them off guard, aiming specifically at the unfortunate blonde in the middle. Hoping to land a solid kick straight to the jaw, he was blocked at the last second by a large sword coming in from the side. He sees that it's held by none other than the damned titan-brat Eren, and he can't help but notice the smell of the blade. Quickly manoeuvring his feet, he lands on the blade, using the force that was used to swing at him to jump back at a safer distance.
"Sir, this wasn't part of the plan!" He hears Eren yell, and he can't help but feel smug for ruining it.
This time he stops and observes. All four now have weapons out, Eren with a large sword like weapon, Mikasa with two shorter blades, Armin with one large gun-like appendage in his hands and Erwin a long blade on one arm that extended all the way past his fist and behind him like elongated tonfas. Cursing under his breath, he's heavily outnumbered, without a weapon and he can feel his injuries catch up to him. He just needs food. Yeah, he could really do with that right now, some fresh human flesh would definitely parch his hunger and give him the strength he needs to finish them… He's so hungry and at this point, he doesn't quite care about who he eats.
Glancing to his sides, he sees two guards, one quaking in his boots the other looking ready to die. Staring forward again, the four have made no movements, but are silently watching him, waiting for him to make the move.
Without another second's hesitation, he bolts to the side, aiming for the guard with his gun ready. Bullets spray around him, some barely grazing him to the point where he can feel a wetness on his cheek but that doesn't stop him. He sees the other guard turn his back and run to a better position, and he only smirks at such a rookie move. Instead of continuing at the guard shooting at him, he takes a giant leap towards the one fleeing. The guard sees him turn when the sound of gunfire stops but at that point, it's already too late. Levi was already on top of him, teeth bared as he dug into the man's shoulder. His scream doesn't put Levi off, if anything it spurs him to continue. He can feel the blood rush into his mouth and the flesh beneath his tongue and it tastes divine; though it tastes odd on his tongue for the briefest of seconds it soon disappears and he continues his meal. The flutter of a heartbeat under the guards skin slows as he tears at the flesh, taking as much of the meat as possible. He doesn't have long to feed, but he will definitely have enough to sate his hunger.
Enjoying yourself, huh? Don't make such a mess on yourself you shit, how do you think it makes you look?
He hears the voice in the back of his mind again, but he can't help but hate the timing. He ignores it, as he pulls away from the body, now limp in his hands.
You fucking idiot.
He rolls his eyes, as he takes a moment to look down at himself. His once white cell uniform now drenched in red all down the front and his trousers also looking the same, he can only imagine what kind of a monster he looks like to them. His lips tug up in one corner, almost to laugh at the irony of the situation. Wiping some of the blood off of his face with the back of his palm he notices something.
There are no more gunshots.
Think about it you fuck, don't you think that was too easy?
Now that he thinks about it, he's right. The man had little armour beneath his stealth suit and the padding was only so thick; it was more of a regular police outfit than something he'd assume those who worked with ghouls would wear. And the guard who was previously shooting at him now stayed at his post in front of an exit, gun merely pointing at him.
Why isn't he shooting?
Suddenly feeling lightheaded he turns his attention back to the four- wait no, five?
His vision starts to blur and he finds himself leaning up against a nearby wall. Was it something in the blood…? He then realises that he was played. Shaking his head at himself, he sees how he walked into their palms again. He let his hunger overtake him and now he's probably swallowed more than enough of whatever poison was diluted in his victim's blood and was more than likely on his way to a deep (possibly permanent) slumber.
His grip begins to loosen and his consciousness starts to fade, he can hear the voice of that annoying brat in the background yelling and Erwin's deeper voice giving orders. Bodies start to surround him and he tries to stand on his feet, but failing and collapsing under his own weight. Falling ungracefully on the cold, hard floor, he tries to gain some kind of traction but to no avail. Slowly, the figures begin to move in on him, the circle becoming smaller and smaller as his vision gets blurrier and blurrier. He takes a sniff at the air to try and determine any familiar scents but all of his senses seemed dull and weak, barely having the energy to keep his eyes open.
Only the feeling of his body being turned over keeps him awake and the familiar coldness of metal cuffs on his wrists alert him of what was really going on. He admits defeat this one time, vowing to kill them next, but he's sure it came out like an unintelligible slur. He curses the Erwin of this world for being far more perceptive than he imagined and he curses himself for not noticing sooner. He curses the three for being there, spurring him on like a challenge, and curses this world for putting him in this shit in the first place. He misses his other world, his other life. It was a constant struggle against titans, and you learned the meaning of death very quickly but at least he could trust those behind him; here it was a guessing game on who would fuck him over first.
His mind rests on the open skies he used to see on expeditions and the vast fields within the walls, finding an odd sense of comfort in them.
Whilst his minds drifts, his own heart starts to slow, the light sound blood beating in his eardrums disappear as he falls into the darkness once more.
-x-
He awakes in a field of white flowers again. It only takes him a second to recognise where he is.
"That was pretty fucking stupid."
Sighing, he sits up, seeing his mirror image standing a few feet away, gazing into the pale white abyss with a familiar uniform adorning him. The wings of freedom rest on his back and he's tempted to reach out and touch it. The fine embroidery that goes into each of the feathers on the wings and the rigid texture of the jacket – he misses it all. He craves the feeling of his blades in his hands and the wind at his sides, the sound of the manoeuvre gear zipping through the air; he misses the freedom most of all. He sighs, knowing that he can never return, if it exists at all. Maybe he'll ask to get beaten into another coma, but he knows that his pride would never allow it.
Exhaling, he shakes it off - feeling the fatigue even reaching him here; he feels tired.
"I don't want to hear that from a shit that disappears and comes back like he owns the place." Shifting in his seat he makes himself comfortable, knowing how long this could be.
Not that he's complaining. He'd rather be here than wherever they're taking him in the real world.
"…I used to." His other self huffs in disappointment, beginning to walk around the perimeter of the flowers. He sees the uniform float lightly with his movements and he can't help but feel envious. Here he is, sat in a bloodied prisoner suit, all fucking dirty while that fucker walks around in his scouting uniform. If the world hates him, it's clearly showing.
"You can have it back." Levi says nonchalantly, trying to hide the anger in his tone, but not noticing a flinch in the other's step.
"Don't you think I would've already you fuck? You're worse than a fucking new-born doe out there and it's painful to watch." Sarcasm drips with every word and Levi can't help but assume that he's being blamed for the whole situation. How would that fucking ghost understand anything he was going through right now? He admittedly is a 'fucking new-born doe' and what the fuck was he supposed to do? Die?
"You think I asked for this?!" He stands on his feet, his eyes glaring a hole into the back of his doppelgangers head and voice blaring, "That I wanted anything to do with this shit? I didn't ask to see them die again, I didn't ask for all these memories, I didn't ask for any of this shit and here we fucking are!"
Quickly turning, the other faces him, a glare matching his and his eye that of a ghoul. Levi senses the rage in his other self, resisting the urge to look away. He can sense the anger, the discontentment and irritation from his eyes alone but he's certain his eyes say a very similar thing.
"You?" His other self questions, a certain amount of disbelief in his voice, "You think you got problems? Fuck off and take a shit, where do you think I've been since you took my place, huh? Heaven? No, I've had to deal with your shit and those fucking titans!"
…What?
This caught his interest. His mind barely registered this fact but he already felt his anger shift to confusion and even a trace of hope.
He- He wasn't crazy. He didn't make it up.
His world- its- its real.
"What?"
"Yeah that's right I-"
"Levi, wake up."
A voice from outside disturbs them and his other self's voice begins to fade in and out, the volume fluctuating as his sight begins to lose focus.
"-had to… wake up in… body-"
No, no no no, not now, I need to hear this – I need to hear this.
"Get up, Levi."
"-fucking idiots thought… gear… brats…" His hearing fades even more and he can barely catch the words. Clambering on to whatever mental hold he could he tried to keep himself from waking but he could feel his control slip through his fingers. He cursed as much as he could, wishing vehemently that whoever it was would fuck off.
Don't wake me up please-!
He begged, pleaded but the voice continued to ring;
"Levi!"
Fuck off fuck off FUCK OFF FUCK OFF
His vision was nothing more than specs of light and he continued to pull at his own mind. It was like swimming against a current and he knew that he couldn't hold on for much longer but even a little more, all he needed was to know that no one else had died, that those fuckers on the other side were okay, goddamnit-
"LEVI, WAKE UP!"
LET ME HAVE THIS YOU FUCKS-
-x-
"LEVI!"
Startling him awake, he shoots up, his heart racing as his hands tug at his new restraints. His legs try to stand and flex but he finds himself confined to a chair once again. He groans inaudibly and he leans his head back briefly to take a deep breath and to calm himself down. A sweat falls down the side of his cheek and his body feels sore, annoyed that some pig woke him up from such an important conversation. Taking in his surroundings, he sees a dimly lit ceiling, illuminated by one long beam of light. The room is mostly empty with only a table and two seats, with one singular entrance to his left and a large blackened window (most likely one-way) on the wall across him.
What do these fuckers want now…?
"Levi." A familiar voice calls and he pulls his head to the side to see a face really didn't want to wake up to.
Erwin.
"What the fuck do you want from me?" He demands, coming a littler harsher than he expected, his voice scratching his throat. He makes a point to not call him by name, he fears that it would bring back memories of the Erwin he once respected, and that wouldn't do well with the whole eating-him-later plan he had been formulating. The Erwin sitting to his right didn't deserve any kind of mercy in his mind (in fact, the only word that came up when he spotted him was 'kill') and would make his life hell as much as inhumanely possible.
"How are you?" He starts, his tone light and casual, "Drowsy? Sick? You took much more of the blood than we expected. It could be detrimental to your heal-"
"Cut the crap you bastard, what do you want?" This ticked Levi off. Much more than before.
This pig thinks he can play it off? Who does he think he's talking to?
"Not in a talking mood then. Alright, down to business." He says, Levi remaining passive "I- no we, need you to join us."
Everything stands still for a moment, giving Levi to digest the proposal.
"If you agree, we will give you clemency and you shall work with us from this point forward. We shall provide for your meals, so there shall be no need to hunt and we will provide suitable living accommodations- you'll find that this is much more generous than what we normally offer."
Levi's eyebrows tense and furrow, and he tightens his lips to prevent any sound from escaping; this was so- so ridiculous. He was caught between laughing with irony and exploding with rage- the man who had him tortured and his friends murdered wanted him to help them? How fucking stupid. 'No need to hunt'? So they'd kill humans to feed his appetite? He can bet that they'd feed him poisoned shit or use him as a fucking guinea pig again . Levi doesn't consider himself to be a simpleton, nor Erwin, but this was beyond moronic. Did Erwin really expect that he'd let him do what he wants? That it would be as easy as 'join us' and that he'd jump on the fucking bandwagon like a fool- unless-
-No, he thinks, his mind suddenly slowing. No, he must have something.
Glaring over at the man who had since stood from his seat, to pull it over in front of the window and directly across him. Currently gripping the frame of his seat, His eyes never left Levi's seated figure. Levi could feel that Erwin was looking for some kind of reaction, and he suddenly felt much more trapped. Erwin himself was as blank as a slate but Levi knew this man, and he could see the slight twitch of the corner of his mouth tug upwards. He knew what this meant. He knew that Erwin knew what was going through his mind and released his hold over his façade, revealing a very confident grin for only a moment, when it disappeared once more as he pulled out and sat down on his seat.
"I'm very sure that you're impression of us has since changed since your awakening-"
No fucking shit.
"-but we deemed it necessary to prove your usefulness to the directors. And for that I apologise humbly." This man was so well rehearsed in lying and bullshit that Levi couldn't tell whether it was genuine or not, but he was willing to bet on the latter. He knew he had visibly winced when Erwin had mentioned 'directors', suddenly realising his place on the board; a pawn. Erwin obviously had doubts about him from the beginning, but he was too caught up in the whole 'new-world' shit to see it- but now… he knew better. He was a pawn from the other side who had infiltrated their ranks, now successfully captured and at their mercy - but now have a chance to use him against his own. Fucking shit eaters.
"How about you take your shit apology," He starts, stopping to crack his neck, "and shove it in your shit holes?"
Levi considered playing it smart, but communication was never his strong suit. Erwin didn't react, much to his displeasure but this did prompt some kind of response from their other audience. Erwin pressed a finger to his ear, like he was listening to something. He expected it was some kind of communication since it was unlikely that he was suffering from earwax issues (the normally uptight commander from his world had the most rigid physical maintenance known to man). He'd almost forgotten about those who might have been watching from behind the glass, he'd expected Erwin to do this himself entirely but perhaps he was wrong?
"That was an expected response. But I should warn you of the consequences if you do not accept." He pauses, pulling a briefcase from under the desk. "First, you shall be charged fully of all of your crimes." Pulling out a large stack of paper from his case, he lays them out systematically along the desk. They're all file sheets, with a picture clipped at a corner and basic information next to it, none of the faces seemed familiar to Levi, despite there being at least a few dozen.
"These are all of your confirmed victims." Shock ripples through his body momentarily before it passes. He was still unaccustomed to being an actual murderer, but he expects that he's killed more. Many of the files belong to investigators and very few civilians, and unless he ate solely on investigators, he suspects he had much more than what lay before him.
"This will result in incarceration of the highest level, for the rest of your life." He feels like he should be scared, but fear for his life is something he abandoned long ago. "And also…"
Pulling out a thick file with the words 'Confidential' splattered across the front in a red ink, Erwin pulls out what appears to pictures. He sees a familiar scene in one of the pictures but it surely couldn't-
It- it can't be-
"We will launch an attack on the inhabitants of this café. I believe you are familiar with them?" Looking up at Erwin's face in complete disbelief, Levi feels his blood drain from his body, and he finds himself shivering.
H-how-? How?! HOW?!
Staring down at the pictures slipped in front of him, shows Anteiku. One, shows the two baristas, another at the orange haired brat and another… Hinami and her mother. He noted the lack of Kaneki and Touka, praying that they stay hidden. It was obvious these images were taken before Ryouko had been killed, he could actually see himself in one of the images- and for that he mentally slapped himself. How could his previous self been so careless?!
The hypothetical images of a burning Anteiku, and dead bodies littering the wreckage sent a wave of regret flowing over him and he almost cried out, but resisted giving Erwin that pleasure.
Everything that I fought for… All of that… And they already fucking knew.
Isabel… Farlan… I…
"We'd started with these two," he said, pointing at the image with Hinami and her mother, "But had lost track of the younger one's location, we suspect her to be with one of these, no?"
Levi didn't say a word, hiding his eyes behind his bangs.
"We held off any other attack, since it had provoked the deaths of two other investigators, we have avoided coming into contact with them for the time being. However if you refuse to co-operate, I'm afraid my hand will be forced."
Bullshit you shitty fucker, the only one who's hand is being forced is mine you shady bastard.
Feeling his palms sweat, Levi knows the obvious answer. He'd have to agree, if it meant saving them. Either he risks killing them himself (He's sure Erwin will force him to one day) or have them slaughtered without a second thought straight away. What would be the best choice? Should he even bother accepting? Now that their cover is blown, there is nowhere to hide and he's sure that if they try leaving for another ward, death is inevitable. These fuckers have him cornered, and as much as he wants to resist, he knows what path he needs to take. The path of their survival.
His survival be damned.
He knows what he needs to do.
He relaxes himself, his muscles begin to loosen and as he looks up, he sees Erwin's frustrating grin begin to form.
I'm going to eat you alive.
"So?"
I will make you watch me pull your intestines out of your gut and tear it piece by piece.
"Will you join us?"
I'll take your weapon and kill all of those you cherish with it.
"Levi?"
Humans are so easy to crush, you understand?
"…Yes."
I will ruin you.
"I… accept."
I swear on it.
Welp, this was late. Sorry guys.
I appreciate all of those who support this story! Be it through reviews, favourites or follows, I welcome them all!
I am shiiiiit at proofreading- please point out any errors!
Tontonte – Thanks! The three appear lot less here, but I'm glad I got the characters down!
Michi-chii – Thank you! I hope you liked this one too!
Sadhelm2 – Ahhh you have no idea how much I loved your review! I'm so glad you're enjoying it! I wasn't so sure about my characterisation but its apparently working x) You had rightly guessed that his coma dream isn't so much of a dream, as I hope you saw here- I hope I'm not getting too predictable… I hope you enjoyed this chapter though!
MewMew – Thank you! We don't see Armin much here, but I can guarantee that you will next time. He has a very interesting role to play later ;)
Shinshinjane – I updated! Hopefully this was to your expectations!
Guest – Haha, good to see you back! I'm glad to see you enjoying it, I'd of gone into more detail but I didn't want to push my luck with the rating but I'm not sure about that anymore xP
If Levi were given the chance to return to the world of SnK/ AOT at this point, do you think he would return or would he stay?