Death: And let things get even more interesting. The inspiration for the title was mostly due to me listening to Beyond the Veil by Lindsey Stirling. Wonderful piece, and I thought I would tribute this chapter to that song. It also suits Levi a lot, I like to think.
Oh, and expect me to update a lot until the 28th. Until either the 30th or the 1st I won't be able to access internet and update this. So I'm rushing to get these ideas out there so I can actually sleep. Otherwise I will be haunted during the days I have no internet and drives me crazy.
Chapter Fifteen Beyond The Storm
=3=
Levi could feel his gear was close to running out of precious gas. He grit his teeth, and continued after Kenny. If he was low on gas, then his uncle most certainly was worse off than him.
Or so he hoped.
He then noticed Kenny was slowing. Not sure if it was a trick or not, Levi slowed down as well. At some point, they came across a clearing. Kenny stopped at the edge of the trees, leaning against a tree as he held a hand over his wound.
Levi landed a few feet away, relieved that he didn't run out of gas. He stared at his uncle, noting the sickly paleness on the wrinkled face. It was the first time he saw how much he had aged over the years, from the time Levi was ten when he could see.
"So...are you going to kill me or what?" Kenny rasped, his pale blue grey eyes challenged Levi's own mirrored pair.
"First, I have a few questions. If you have the time for them, anyway." To prove his point, he rid the blades from his gear, before kicking them away and out of their reach.
"Can an old man sit down then? My vision is getting blurry." Without waiting for an answer, Kenny sat down anyway, his back being supported by the tree.
Levi knelt down, not really caring if the man was standing or not. He was, however, keeping a safe distance away from the man's reach.
"What made you search my mother out? For eight years, you didn't reach out to her. And then you show up, out of the blue." Levi stared at his uncle.
"My old man, not my bastard father, but my grandfather died. On his death bed, I was the only one who came to see him. Well, he had a way of guilt tripping me about not talking to family. And, I guess because it was his dying wish for the family to remain strong, I sought Kutchel out."
"That's your whole reason?" Levi didn't sense any lies, but he didn't think it was something like that.
"Didn't think she would up and die on me. I always expected her to be the one that lived longer, between the two of us. She was intelligent, and had a good head on her shoulders. And she ended up like that. And she left you, all alone, with no way to survive. Pathetic if you ask me."
"You said she was disowned. She was disowned because she was having an illegitimate child by some unknown noble. I can only figure my father had to be a noble in order for her to choose the Underground City for a place to hide and raise me." Levi snarled, eyes narrowing.
"Yeah, I thought that, too. Do you have any other questions before I croak?"
"Do you have any ideas who my father is?"
Kenny stared at his nephew, his breathing becoming more labored. His time was almost up, he could sense it. And Levi knew it, too. He had seen death so many times, he knew the stages well enough to understand how much longer someone had.
"No, clue. I tried to find any hints, so I could punch him myself. But she kept nothing at that shitty house she raised you in. And the hiding spot she liked to store personal belongings at my house gave no indication, either."
They held their gaze. Levi looked away, disappointment rising in his chest. He had hoped Kenny had some inclination. This man was his mother's brother, and older than her by a few years. It was natural she would look up to him, even if he was the shittiest person in the world for a brother.
"What did you inject me with, when I was ten, and why?"
"Well, I think you have an idea on the answers are for both of those questions."
"I need to hear the answers, Kenny."
"All right, all right. Jeez, you're never usually this impatient."
"Just answer me already."
"I found a serum that read Bird's Eyes. And, when the king left his bag unprotected, I snatched it. I wanted you as my apprentice, and I couldn't stand the thought of you being blind." Kenny went into a series of coughs. Levi waited patiently for his uncle to continue.
"So, I injected you with it. I didn't give you all of it, though. I had to return the syringe, before he noticed it was missing. I gave you enough that I hoped it would fix you. And three days later, you woke up with eyes."
"So I didn't get the full serum. That explains why I'm nothing like the brat, Eren."
Kenny reached into his jacket. Levi tensed, expecting a knife, but instead he pulled out a small box with shaking hands. He handed it to the short captain, and curiously he opened it. It was a syringe with a serum inside. He looked up at Kenny questioningly.
"That's the...so called perfect serum. I...I thought about using it on myself to live a little longer. But then, I remembered...I remembered what you said. And it got me thinking of my grandfather. And I realized that... everything has an expiration date."
"...Why are you giving me this?"
"For you to do whatever you want with it. Destroy it, use it, give it to the Survey Corp, I don't give a fuck."
To say the least, Levi was surprised Kenny was accepting his death like this with open arms. He had thought the old man would have gone kicking and screaming, cursing him for being the one who ended his uncle.
"Let me tell you...a family secret. We came...from outside. And, since our first ancestor who came here, the government has hated anyone with the Ackerman name. See...we have this special power. At a young age, by some life changing event, we become stronger, faster, and ready to kill when our lives are threatened."
"I know that last part. But why are we hunted down?"
"Because...we're immune to whatever shit they got to alter minds, to alter realities and changing everything from the ground up. We became a two edged sword. They need our strength to protect the royal family. At the same time, they don't like that we're immune to their games."
"Let me guess, some people became so afraid that eventually everyone else saw us as monsters."
"Exactly. And so, we were hunted down. Of my generation, only three of us survived out of ten. Your mother, and our cousin, who got eloped and ran to the mountains. Come to think of it, I can't quite remember, but that same man she married, he was looking for Kutchel some years before those two met."
At that, Levi stared at Kenny with surprise. They shared the same thought, but neither dared to speak it aloud.
"Nah, couldn't have been him. Must have been his brother, or something. It doesn't matter anyway." Kenny started coughing again.
"Fuck this shit."
"You're the one who said one day you would be killed by someone who will succeed you." Levi reminded.
"Hah...that's true. Some part of me hoped it would be you. And here we are..."
"Why me specifically?" Levi was curious, now.
"What better way to die but by the hands of my nephew? The very nephew I raised and trained to be better than me."
"You held out better than most of my opponents. The only person to ever survive from me is Erwin. I plan to keep it that way." Levi noted that the sun was starting to set.
"Oi... would...would you mind doing me a favor? Just my last request before I die?"
Levi stared at his uncle, and the image of the sight before him burned within his head. Never before he had ever seen Kenny so broken. The usually prideful man never gave up on anything, never once had Levi seen his uncle so defeated.
"As long as it's not sex. That's my only regulation." Levi stated the boundary.
"As if I can live long enough to pound into you. No, as much as I want to take you one last time, I'll die before I get to come. Just, let me hold you. I don't care if you hold me or not...I just need to hold someone as I'm dying." Kenny let his mask fall for the first time.
His eyes were filled with fright, and perhaps a little bit of hope. Reluctantly Levi scooted closer. Suddenly he was pulled to sit over the all too familiar lap, and once strong arms held him while Kenny weakly nuzzled his chest. After getting over the initial shock of being grabbed, Levi raised his arms to return the gentle hold.
One arm snaked around broad shoulders, while the other reached for the unruly hair. He thought over when Kenny told him he was glad he had found something precious in life, meaning his love for Erwin. Never in his entire life had he seen his uncle with anyone romantically. Maybe a few one night stands, when it wasn't him, but that was it.
And, in that moment, he realized they were both the same. They were monsters trying to survive a cruel, beautiful world. Only one of them found love to make the world seem brighter, and the other lost in his despair. That was the only difference between them.
"What happened to your precious person?" Levi had an inkling feeling it could go two ways, but asked anyway.
"He died. He was...a lot like you. So tiny...and yet so feisty and ready to show the world he wasn't weak. But...he had an illness, some disease the doctors couldn't heal. It was a slow, painful death, as he suffocated in his own blood, blood from his lungs as result of the disease..."
Levi closed his eyes tightly, and gently squeezed his hold a little more. He didn't need to hear anything else. He had found the answer to a question that he couldn't voice out loud.
Why was it, when each time we did it, your eyes saw someone else?
He found his answer, and he didn't even need to hear a name.
They stayed like this, as Kenny slowly and surely died. Levi felt the last heartbeat the same moment the sun disappeared in the sky and night fell upon the land. He stayed there a few minutes more.
In the end I couldn't keep my promise to you, after all. The Blood Storm is not who I truly am.
Levi pulled away from the now cold corpse. He picked up the box, and stuffed it in a pocket. He reached inside his uncle's jacket for his favorite knife. Levi flicked it open, and tested it in the air. Despite its age, it was still a decent knife. He pocketed that, too, opposite of where Talon was, but in the same pocket as the tiny box.
He then began searching in each of the pockets. He found the key to the house, and took it. Since that house had been with the Ackerman family for a few good generations, he might as well keep it. And maybe touch it up, later. Levi wasn't quite sure if he was going to remain in the Survey Corp or not.
If I don't back out, then I will remain with them until my death. But, there's a lot of unfinished business.
Levi turned when the night was giving away to a bright light. He felt his heart stop when he saw the forest was now up in flames from the heat alone of the Colossal type that was so much bigger than the one that broke through Wall Maria, and then tried to do the same to Wall Rose. Through the trees he could see the ugly Titan towering over the forest.
Quickly, with little time, he checked his gas cannisters. They were lower than he needed to escape the forest. He knelt down to check the cannisters attached to Kenny. They were still half full. If Levi hadn't stabbed him, then he wouldn't have been able to catch up to his uncle.
Levi knelt down and replaced his cannisters with Kenny's. As soon as he was done, he launched high into the air, barely out of reach from hot flames catching his clothes. He sped onward as he raced to escape the forest, and yet heading in the direction towards Wall Sina.
I have to get back to Erwin. I have lost too much precious time.
He grit his teeth as he forced himself to pace, using his gas wisely. Levi couldn't go at top speed or else he wouldn't be able to get out of the burning forest alive. His chest tightened from the smoke, and his throat felt dry, and his eyes watered from the intense heat.
Erwin! Have patience, I'm coming! I have to tell you in person that I love you!
A tree fell in front of his path. He instinctively rolled over the burning tree, the flames licked his back. Amazingly, neither his clothes nor his body caught on fire. But the heat was unbearable. However, the tree in turn had a domino effect.
Another tree, unburnt yet, fell. One of its branches caught Levi. He tumbled down with it, and crashed to the forest floor with the heavy branch over his legs. Levi tried to crawl out, but he couldn't budge. And he didn't have any blades with him to cut himself out.
Smoke filled his lungs, and the heat didn't help any better. He coughed, his eyes watered even more. Levi was trying to hold back the panic from settling in, but with so little resources to escape, not even his years of training would help him now.
Erwin!
=3=
Erwin lead the small group set to dispose of the new Colossal type. He had Hange and their squad to gather up Military Police and Wall Garrison for a possible showdown if the Colossal type reached Wall Sina.
Without Captain Levi, his hopes of even doing any damage was not in their favor.
He lead the Special Forces Squad, as they skirted a safe distance away from the target. They watched in concern as the heat emitting from the Titan was so great a fire was started in the forest, and the blazes were quick to spread since it was late summer and everything was dry.
"What should we do? We've never taken any titans that size before." Jean was losing hope.
"Maybe Eren's control power can be of use." Armin suggested weakly.
"Any luck back there, Eren?" Erwin looked back to check the Titan shifter.
"I can't...I'm trying but... nothing I do is making it stop. Maybe it doesn't work on chemicals like me?" Eren bit his lip in defeat.
Mikasa turned her eyes towards the forest. She usually has a good sense if something happened to anyone who she considered family, whether it be Armin or Eren. But both of them were by her side, and with a questioned look, she stared at the forest. It didn't take long for her to figure out who it was that her instincts were flaring up for.
"Something happened to the captain. He's in that forest."
Everyone stared at her in wonder and surprise. And all of them felt their hearts sink at the news.
"Are you sure he's in that forest?" Erwin felt worry rise up, and he pushed away any worst case scenarios in his head.
"Yes, I am positive he's in there."
"We're heading closer then. But we have to stay far enough if we have to run from the fire." Erwin changed their course. He was rather grateful they didn't have Stella after all.
Before they had left the estate, the mare got spooked and ran into the forest. The mare shared a strong bond with her caretaker. Erwin silently hoped that bond was strong enough for the horse to find Levi and escape.
The small group were a little less than ten miles from the forest. Even from here, they could feel the heat. All the while, they kept an eye on the Colossal type, as it slowly and clumsily made it's way towards Wall Sina. Even though it was a frightening height no human had seen yet, the size made it slow in it's movements.
"There! Look!" Eren pointed.
Suddenly they followed where he had pointed, which was towards the forest. A gust of strong wind flattened the flames for a few seconds, and just as they rose up again a horse made a clean jump over a fallen trunk. They recognized Stella instantly, and somehow she was unburnt as she raced towards them.
In the saddle was Captain Levi, covered from head to toe with soot and ash. His squad cheered upon seeing him, and in turn he raised a fist in the air. Hope was among the squad once again.
"Captain Levi!"
"Way to go, captain!"
"Good to see you alive, there!"
Jean whistled in joy, while some of the others clapped or pumped their fists in the air. Levi didn't slow his horse down until he pulled her to an abrupt stop next to Erwin. Stella breathed heavily, smoke still in her lungs, and the grey mount next to her affectionately nudged against her heated neck.
Levi didn't waste any time and leaped off his mare and tackled Erwin without warning. The commander wasn't expecting the movement and the two of them fell, startling his own horse. To Erwin's luck his grey stallion didn't run away, just shied from the two but turned his attention back to the dark mare.
Erwin wrapped his arms around the tiny waist, and smiling at the rare affection he was receiving from the usually distant captain. And on top of that in front of his own squad, Levi had always been too shy to be affectionate in front of other people.
"I'm glad to see you, too little bird. I missed you."
"I love you." His voice was hoarse, and his throat so dry his words barely above a whisper.
Erwin stared down at Levi, surprise filled his handsome features. With little effort he sat up, still holding the smaller body close to him, and the small arms were shaking. Was he afraid of rejection?
"Love you too, Levi. And that's something that will never change."
Levi tensed at those words. He bit his lip, and he didn't have to turn to his squad to know someone filled Erwin in about a lot of secrets that came out of the shadows of his past.
Somone told him. Someone dared to tell him.
He felt slightly reassured that the commander wasn't going to let his past ruin what they had.
"I would hate to break up the adorable moment you guys have, but we have a Colossal Titan to take care of. And we need to get far away from those flames." Jean broke the romantic moment.
"You could have let them enjoy each other a little longer." Sasha pouted.
"And watch them go at it? No thank you! I'm still bleaching my brain from the weird sweet talk between the captain and that one creepy crazy assassin. She was...ugh." Horse Face shivered at the thought of her.
"Let's get going. We need to figure out how to take this thing down."
Levi pulled away, and stood on wobbly legs. He was honestly surprised they hadn't been broken from a tree pinning them to the ground, but he was grateful they didn't break. He did however, struggle to get back on his horse. He was suddenly lifted up and placed on the saddle.
He nodded to Erwin in gratitude, for he knew the more he spoke, he would lose his voice. The commander waisted no time to get back on his mount, and the group set off. They went at a fast pace, but not a full gallop. For not all of them were on horses, but in the carriage.
"What are we going to do, sir? I can't think of any ideas to take it down. We can't climb it before we are incinerated by heat alone. And I don't think Eren can even do much damage in his Titan form." Armin was beginning to lose hope.
Levi pulled his mare to a stop, and pointed. Everyone stopped to follow his line of sight. The whole squad and the commander stared back at the captain in shock, and wonder if he finally lost his sanity.
"It wants the inner city. It's size is it's weakness. Look at it, it's starting to lose its ability to walk upright. By the time it reaches Wall Sina, it will be on its knees. Just the right height to peer over the wall. Then, we can take our only chance we have of desposing it."
They all looked back at the Colossal type. He was right, it was having trouble being able to support its own weight.
"I have an idea to add to that!" Historia spoke up, her determined face wavered a little when everyone turned to her.
"What do you have in mind?" Erwin gently urged her to continue.
"You want to remove the fake king and his officials, right? And place me on the throne? I have an idea to move the populace on our side. But... I'm going to need the help from the best of the best." She bit her lip nervously as she looked at Levi.
"Tell me what to do, and I'll do it." He said, in a rasped voice, ready to give out.
=3=
At dawn, the Colossal type was almost upon Wall Sina. The Military Police were working to keep the citizens from panicking, while Survey Corp and Wall Garrison stood upon the wall. General Pixis met with Erwin, and the two went over the plan Levi and Historia brought up.
The old man thought it was a little risky, but he had a good laugh out of it. If it worked, then it would be the most executed plan to save the city, and win the blind people over into their favor.
"Does this mean you can finally make your move, commander?" General Pixis inquired, eyes studying the three Scouts before him.
In front was Erwin, and on either side of him were none other than Hange and Levi. His eyes lingered on the short captain, noting that he appeared to have been thrown in Hell and crawled back out of it. Pixis allowed himself a grin at the sight.
"I heard assassins were hardy, but didn't know they were so crazy Hell would spit them back out."
Levi let his mask slip, and stared at the general in a mix of surprise and anger. How did he figure out?
"Don't look at me like that! I made the connection from the moment I saw your face. I met an assassin once, some years back. He must have been around your age or younger. Wild black hair, and a lot taller than you. But, you have his eyes. The same steely eyes that could make any man tremble in fear by just one look." General Pixis chuckled when recognition was read from the eyes he described.
He met Kenny and survived?
Confusion must have been read on his face, when the old man answered his train of thought.
"I wasn't his target, when we met. I just happened to be in the way. He didn't expect me to show him I'm not going down so easily for being a witness. When I had him cornered, I offered him a drink. The look on his face was hilarious! Ah, but he accepted my flask and told me he was an assassin. And, just this once, he was going to let a witness live. Guess offering him a drink for my life was a good move, on my part."
"Consider yourself lucky. When he took me in, he didn't care about allowing witnesses to survive and tell the tale."
"So you are related. Just as I thought. There's no mistaking those eyes. Just wondering, how is he? Have to say, he was the only person who could possibly out drink me."
"He died." Levi wanted to say more, but he had finally lost his voice.
"Ah, shame. I had hoped to share one last drink with him, to commemorate old age."
Levi couldn't respond, and even if he had his voice, he didn't know what to say. Erwin had the grace to change the topic to the urgent matter at hand. For the Colossal type was slowly drawing closer.
"We need to prepare for the Titan that's going to be knocking on our doorstep. From there, I'm going to make my move against the government." Erwin turned his blue eyes to the generals gold ones.
"Will you be my ally on that matter? I told you my plans, and it would be good if I had your help."
They stared for an intense moment. After what seemed like an eternity, General Pixis gave his answer.
"I won't miss making those pigs roast. I had hoped one day I would be the one leading such a movement, but, before my eyes, I have grown too old. And I couldn't aspire an entire faction to follow me. You're something special, Erwin Smith. Let's have a drink after this. Invite your captain, too."
"Sir, shouldn't we keep an eye on him if he's an assassin? What if he intends to kill you?" His second in command frowned.
"Lass, look at him closely. He's Survey Corp through, and through. I believe he found his true calling. Amazing, isn't it Erwin? You can even turn a hardcore assassin into your pawn. Actually, in a chess board, he's your queen, isn't he? He can move where no one else can, and with one swift movement eliminate those that are in your way of your calculative plans."
Levi didn't hold back the cold, dark glare. His eyes flashed, and for just a second the birds eye effect came through. Just as it appeared, they vanished back to his normal set of eyes. Never in his life was it so hard for General Pixis to resist a shiver wrack through his body.
"He's more than just a part of my plans. There was something that I didn't foresee, and I'm grateful for it." Erwin smiled at the captain, his gentle blue eyes instantly calmed Levi, and his inner demons purred from the attention.
"Oh? And what's that?" The woman who was second in command to General Pixis inquired with a skeptical look on her face.
"Let's just say there's benefits between a King and his Queen in private."
That sent her blushing at the indication. Hange busted out laughing at her response, and even Levi allowed a knowing smirk on his face. The one who laughed the loudest was General Pixis.
"Good one, Erwin! I haven't seen her blush since she was drunk on the party night of her promotion! Oh, what a night that was!"
"S-sir! Don't bring that up!" She retorted, sputtering to keep herself under control.
"Oh, but I love bringing it up! You should let go once in a while, lass, just like that night you were so drunk you danced around topless! Everyone dies eventually, and before you die, you're going to wish you did the things you wanted to do. So, if we survive today, we're going all out! Drinks are on me tonight! Erwin, you and anyone who wants to party is welcome! Warning, things get a little crazy when I throw a party with drinks." General Pixis headed to his station, laughing along the way with his two blushing guards.
"Sounds like fun. Let's get going. The Colossal type is almost upon us."
The plan was simple. And to their luck, the Colossal type had exhausted most of its energy to get to the wall. The heat emitted from its body was considerably less than the night before, where it didn't need to touch the trees and the whole forest was aflame. It was still giving off immense heat, but not enough to be too damaging for Levi.
The plan was simple, to trick the simple people in the city below. He stood to the side, watching as the ugly Titan pulled itself on its knees. Just as he predicted, it was just enough to peer over the wall. Cannons were shot at its head, taking out its eyes. Smoke covered the area of its face.
With a nod from Erwin, Levi sprung into action. He ran toward the Titan. With fresh blades and enough gas in his cannisters he took from Kenny's corpse, he leaped high, his legs were still like springs despite how exhausted he was. From below, everyone could see a shadow in the smoke, moving at lightning speed.
Levi eyed his target. And with great effort, he pierced the skin, he ran along the broad neck as his blades sliced the vulnerable weak spot. He could feel the heat through his boots, and with great care he made sure to speed up. His chest tightened, still not fully recovered from the smoke and heat of his escape from a burning forest, but he willed himself to keep going.
When he reached the end of the neck, he leaped off the body. He flipped forward and made himself appear he was falling from the side, towards the inner city. With the smoke of the cannons still present, he caught himself at the edge of the wall just as he caught sight of Historia as she took her leap of faith.
Levi found he didn't have the strength to pull himself up. The exhaustion from last several days had caught up to him. His arms only had the strength to hold him there on the ledge. With care, he tried to see if his legs could push him up. However, Levi was having a rundown of his luck.
The leg he broke a while back was acting up. He grit his teeth, he couldn't feel the pain, but he felt his muscles spasm dramatically. His leg gave out, and he slipped, bit he still had a good grip on the edge. However it was now up to his hands to keep him from falling.
I can't die like this!
He could hear the cheers below, as the people were moved by Historia. And the smoke and steam was almost cleared, and if he didn't get back on the wall their plan would be in ruins. The people would see that it was not their new Queen who had slayed the incoming monster that would have ended humanity.
He tried to call for help, but all that came out of his mouth was a soft, raspy scream just above a whisper. Levi desperately reached out with one hand, all the while using his other hand to pull himself up, and using his good leg to ease the weight his hand had to pull.
His boot slipped.
Levi let out a silent scream as his hand slipped from the ledge. His heart stopped as he fell, only to race again when a hand caught his outreached hand. He looked up to see General Pixis's second in command. With difficulty, as she was only a few inches taller than him, she pulled him up and over the edge.
He tried to stand, but his legs were too weak. Levi was on his knees, breathing heavily. He wanted nothing more than a warm bath to soak his aching body, wash the soot and ashes off of him, and sleep for the next few days. Levi nodded his thanks to the woman who saved his life.
"You don't have to owe me for that. If you really are so special to Erwin, I had to do something." She pulled her bangs to the side and out of her face.
I guess that's her way of saying you're welcome. I'll take that.
"Good work, lass. I was about to get him, but you were faster. I am getting old." General Pixis praised, admiring the decaying body.
"Erwin! If you can hear me, get your ass over to this side! Your captain almost had a nasty fall to his death!" The old man yelled just enough for his voice to carry over the steaming body.
Almost in an instant two figures expertly used their gears to climb over the body. Erwin and Hange landed safely and quickly ran to the short captain's side. Erwin cupped the pale face in his hands, which seemed to look ridiculous how his palms covered a whole cheek, and stared into pale blue grey eyes. He saw how exhausted Levi was, his energy spent to the point he couldn't even stand.
Erwin almost planted a kiss, when Military Police came up on them. Both the commander and general tensed at the sudden appearance.
"General Pixis, Commander Erwin. Excuse us, as we take in Captain Levi under our custody."
"On what charges? I demand to know." Erwin stood up, placing himself between the unicorns and his captain.
"The Anti-Personnel Control Squad informed us the deaths of nine soldiers, five Military Police and four Survey Corp, was done by one hand only. And they named someone who was once among them, but turned traitor and joined the Survey Corp."
"And you're going by their word alone? Don't you know that squad are assassins for the king?" Erwin countered.
"They named Captain Levi. We don't want to take him in, but we have to search him. If he has a curved knife that matches the wounds on those necks, then we have to arrest him on the charges of manslaughter nine officers, kidnapping the Special Forces Squad, and a traitor to the king."
"What is the penalty to such ridiculous charges?" General Pixis inquired, his eyes darkened.
"The penalty is death without trial. Now, if you please, commander, step aside so we can search him. If he doesn't have a curved knife, then we won't arrest him."
Levi felt his heart sink. He could feel Talon in his pocket, and in the other was his uncle's knife he took, as well as the box that contained the perfect serum. He was cornered, and he couldn't allow the Military Police to get their hands on the box. His eyes stared at Erwin's back, and even though he couldn't see a face, he sensed what the commander was going to do.
I can't allow you to take my place. You are more important than I am to the Survey Corp, to humanity.
Levi struggled to stand, willing his tired body to move. He sneaked the box and key to the house he grew up in, he stumbled into Hange, who quickly steadied him. He sneaked them into Hange's pocket. Levi then limped toward the officer, ignoring Erwin's arm that reached out to him.
Without further delay he reached into his pockets, and pulled out both knives, presenting them in each palm.
"...I am afraid to say this, but Corporal Levi Ackerman, you are under arrest. You will not have a trial, and you will be brought to the king to be executed." The officer stated, as he reached for handcuffs.
Levi smirked. He had a last ditch plan to keep the stupid unicorns occupied while Erwin and Pixis made their move. At his expression, the officer paused. Levi found enough of his voice to speak a simple challenge.
"Catch me, first."
And with that he ran to the edge of the wall and leaped. As he fell, he pocketed his knives, and used his hear to maneuver around the buildings. He didn't have a lot of energy left, and truthfully, he wasn't sure where this energy came from. But the adrenaline was pumping through him, and he hoped it would be enough to last as he kept the unicorns occupied just long enough for Erwin's plan to finish.
Erwin, I don't know how much time I can give you. I don't even know if I can survive this, to see your dreams come to life. I really hoped that I could stand by your side the day humanity won against the titans.
Bells went off, the sound of another alarm going off through the city. He caught sight of Military Police officers trying to corner him. But even though he was exhausted, he had tricks up his sleeve to ward them off. He managed to maneuver out of their attacks with ease.
I hope this is enough. I got to say I love you in person. And, forgive me. I couldn't keep my promise to you, either.
He laughed when someone tried to tackle him, but missed. The officer yelled something offensive at him, which earned a cold and raspy laugh from his mouth. These idiots thought he was so easy to capture, he was going to have fun while he was going to mess with them.
I don't know how much time I can give you. But I hope this is enough.
And for some odd reason, despite the strained muscles, his struggle for every breath, the tight pain in his chest, and how ready his body was going to give out on him, he never felt so alive. He felt strangely at peace within himself. For once his inner demons weren't forcing their way out. They, too, were content for once.
Levi was flying as he expertly moved with the gear. He had never before tested how far he could really go, how high he could reach. He never tested beyond his boundaries in the air. He felt exhilarated now that he was going into the unknown of his talents. He was flying with all he had and more.
For the first time, he was freed from the cage that trapped his heart for so many years.
I love you, Erwin.
=3=
Death: Phew. This was an intense chapter. I loved writing it, though. I have to say, this one is my favorite chapter to write so far in this story.
I hope I delivered well with Kenny's death? I know it was a little drawn out, but, so was his actual death in the manga. And, I hope I made it more interesting? A part of me wanted it to end violently, but then I remembered that Levi had known violence his whole life. By now he would be tired of it all, and went against his promise he made to Kenny.
In a way he still killed Kenny. He was the cause of his death, after all.
Please leave a review~