Levi couldn't resist enjoying the salty breeze as he stood behind the ship's railing with Hange, the 104th recruits, and Onyankopoon guiding them. Months earlier, Hange proposed a plan to sail across the ocean to Marley, a place they had only recently discovered after the battle to reclaim Wall Maria and the revelations in Eren's basement. The goal was to witness and understand the world they were dealing with.
As signs of civilization emerged on the horizon, Levi couldn't help but think of his former squad. He briefly turned, imagining them by his side, staring at the vast ocean. It had been 2 years, yet their absence remained a painful void in his life.
During that fateful day, he had wished for a different reality, where his comrades could witness the truths they uncovered about the Titans. Petra, in particular, crossed his mind. He wondered what insights she would share about the history of the walls and the Titans' existence. The fact that she was no longer alive was a constant reminder of the losses they endured.
Petra, always the optimist, would have found wonder in the outside world. Levi mused on how she would describe everything as 'wonderful,' discovering that humanity thrived beyond the walls. Yet, he saw the outside world as a threat, foreseeing doom for his homeland. Petra's unwavering faith in humanity might have remained unshaken even in the face of the world's hostility.
Despite his gruff exterior, Petra looked at him with tenderness. She was perceptive, discerning the good in everything and everyone, a quality that was both her weakness and strength. When he selected her for his squad, rumors circulated among jealous peers, but Petra chose to remain silent, displaying strength in the face of baseless accusations.
Petra, the one who saw the positive in every situation, despite the challenges of their world. Levi, acknowledging her kindness despite his rough demeanor, often called her a "crazy, foolish brat."
"Levi, can I open my eyes now?" Petra inquired, the anticipation evident in her voice.
"Tch. That impatient, Ral?" Levi retorted, remembering a day off he had spent with her in a forest outside Wall Rose.
In the early days of the mission to reclaim Wall Maria, Levi believed Titans and the challenges within Paradis were the Corps' greatest threats. Fast forward to the present, where they now confronted the entire world, excluding Paradis. Petra's gasp drew his attention, and as they sat atop a giant tree branch, exhaustion from weeks of labor adding a tangible weight to the air, she marveled at the sun setting beyond the colossal walls.
Petra's eyes widened in disbelief. "I... is that what I think it is?" The sun's orange hue painted her honey complexion, and the fire in her eyes burned brighter than ever.
"So... what do you think?" Levi inquired, his eyes fixed on Petra. Her soulful gaze revealed a cascade of emotions—love, bliss, and adoration.
"It. It's perfect," Petra exclaimed, flashing Levi a sweet smile. "Thank you, Levi." Warmth flooded Levi's chest as he gazed at the woman he considered the most beautiful. Petra Ral embodied everything he could have dreamed of, a stark contrast to his thug-turned-soldier past in the underground.
Levi's journey from the underground with Furlan and Isabel had initially been about escaping that hellhole. He envisioned a new start on the surface, a life far removed from the stench of the underground. However, after the first expedition, that fantasy crumbled to ashes.
Recollections of the Corps' early days stirred in Levi's mind. The mantra of "Dedicate Your Hearts" once made him cringe, but witnessing the brutal deaths of Isabel and Furlan shifted his perspective. Titans stole freedom, dreams, and the future from them. Levi, along with his comrades, dedicated their hearts to fighting for freedom, ensuring their sacrifices weren't in vain, and redeeming what was stolen from humanity.
Petra represented everything Levi yearned for in a world without Titans. As they sat, faces mere inches apart, a silent exchange passed between them. Impatience overcame Levi, prompting him to close the gap, kissing Petra with a passion that conveyed his desire for a shared future free from Titans.
Back in the present moment,
"There really are towns outside the walls...and people do live in them," Connie mumbled, pulling Levi out of his reminiscing state.
"Don't say things like 'outside the walls' in front of others," Jean replied deadpan.
"At last...we're the first from inside the walls to lay foot on human territory outside," Sasha muttered, seemingly stunned from the sight of it all. Not that she's the only one.
"I just told you not to say such a thing!" Jean, obviously irate from her choice of words.
The ship came to a lazy halt as it docked onto the nearest port.
"This is the job we were given from the very start," Hange claimed, the gleam of enthusiasm masking her eyes. "Our survey begins."
Soon, everyone began their descent from the ship, and the idea of setting foot on human territory other than that within the walls turned into actuality for the 'devils of the island.'
"Everyone! Welcome to the Continent of Marley! I will lead you to the Azumabito Residence," Onyankopoon gleefully informed them.
As Levi navigated through the Marleyan populace, the others—Sasha, in particular, went crazy over 'ice cream' or something, passing by each of the food stalls stationed along the streets. Meanwhile, Hange and company shamelessly tried to draw the attention of a so-called 'car' when they spotted one.
"If you don't stop them, they'll try to make that lump of iron eat a carrot," Levi commented, turning and keeping walking, maintaining an adequate distance from those idiots.
"Haha. No way," Onyankopoon retorted, then looked over to the others. "They're buying a carrot!"
From the corner of his eye, Levi spotted a boy picking something out of Sasha's pocket, while the girl kept fussing over the various foods on display.
"Hey. This ain't your wallet." Levi snatched the boy by the wrist. Somehow, his most recent statement caught the surrounding passersby's awareness, placing himself and the kid in a spotlight.
"A pickpocket!"
"An immigrant from an enemy nation, he must be."
Soon enough, the two were surrounded by scrutinizing gazes and men spitting out comments coated in prejudice. Levi studied the kid's face - fear. He then decided on a way to cover up for the damn brat. But then...
Then... out of nowhere, the voice of a woman varied in with that of the bickering crowd behind him.
"Excuse me, let me through... please."
As though a bolt of lightning fell out of the sky and flashed past through his system, Levi instantly froze in place.
That voice.
His mind turned blank in such a short notice that he didn't realize his undoing grip on the child, who swiftly yanked away and ran towards the direction from where the voice came.
"Excuse me, Captain Levi?"
A set of golden bright orbs met his stone-cold gaze.
"What?"
"I was told you needed me for something?"
Originally, Levi had not minded her at all. From their first meeting, she came across as the exact opposite of what he had been in his entire career as a scout. She sounded too sweet, was too smiley, came off too dainty.
One time, he had learned from Miche the details of that girl and Oluo's first expedition where both apparently soiled their pants. He grunted. Tch. 'Disgusting.' Knowing that didn't help alleviate his initial impression of her.
But with more expeditions, time and time again, Petra had proven the captain wrong. Levi had not anticipated that this girl would eventually yield such outstanding results.
He had seen her expertly cut a Titan's nape while utilizing her ODM gear flawlessly more than once out in Titan country. At times, he had even watched her assist other soldiers with their kills, and every time - it had been impressive.
"Erwin's planning for me to have my own squad soon. I want you to be a part of it. I shall require your skills in the forthcoming expeditions."
As he turned, everything around him ceased and blurred. The sounds of the public's chattering died. Hange and the others perhaps were saying something, but he couldn't hear it.
All his senses concentrated on those amber strands of hair dancing to the wind's beat, her golden eyes, her warm smile as she coddled the kid, kneeling halfway and tucking him against her hip.
It seems she hadn't noticed him or the others...
Yet.
Levi decided to intervene, considering what had happened. He swiftly walked over to where Petra stood, her back facing him. Her hair may have been longer, but Levi couldn't be mistaken about its owner.
The boy tugged at her sleeve, stared ahead at Levi, and guided a finger towards him. Petra's eyes trailed to where he was pointing. Levi could clearly read the shock in those lovely eyes of hers as they widened.
"Petra?"
"Pet who?" Connie whispered to Jean on the down-low.
"No idea. Why is the Captain just standing there?" Jean whispered back, glancing at Hange, who seemed frozen. "And even Commander Hange is stunned. We're wasting our time here."
"Should I say something? This seems like it's going to take longer than necessary." Onyankopoon's head appeared between them.
"Oh no. Where did the pickpocket go!?" Sasha exclaimed.
They all turned towards Sasha.
The Captain's rare display of astonishment had distracted them, and they almost forgot about the stealing brat.
Jean and Connie scanned the surroundings to spot the boy gleefully running away with the stolen wallet held high.
"Well, that was just pocket money the Azumabitos gave us," Armin remarked.
"That's Petra." Eren stood beside Mikasa, a few feet away. He seemed unsurprised.
"You know her?" Mikasa and the rest of the 104th looked clueless about the significance of the ginger-haired woman.
"She was in the Captain's first squad."
"You mean his original squad?" Mikasa started to piece things together. "Didn't they all perish from Annie in the titan forest?"
Eren refused to elaborate. He just watched Levi and Hange stare at their long-dead comrade, now miraculously alive.
Both of them, seemingly bewildered.
Levi bowed his head down in confusion, thinking his mind must be playing tricks on him.
"I saw her dead and thrown off a damn wagon."
But damn... that woman looks exactly like her. He closed his eyes, hoping that when he opened them again, what he saw would prove him wrong. She couldn't be Petra. It's not that he doesn't want to see her again; he's yearned to have her in his arms. He sensed a glimmer of hope, fearing to lose her again.
Levi despised how messed up things were. With the urgent concern about 'Eldians vs. every other race on Earth' making little progress, now comes the sight of his former subordinate—more, after believing she had been gone since he saw her crushed on a tree.
He opened his eyes and looked up to see her still gazing back at him. This time, she couldn't be more real.
And then,
She smiled, her lips trembling slightly. Damn. This was it. He recognized that smile - she had bestowed it upon him countless times before, easing his weariness after a long week of signing papers and following Erwin's orders; the golden orbs in those wide doe-eyes; her long hazel lashes; the tiny bump of her nose; the pink tinge of her lips — those were undoubtedly Petra's. He used to think he would never see those features again.
The last time he had seen her face — she looked at peace, blood dripping down the skin of her cheeks and temple... but then... there she was.
There she is — alive.
"Pe-peetra?" Hange whispered. She stood a good distance away from the two. "How in the-"
Hange stopped mumbling when she saw Levi walking briskly towards the girl. They held each other's gazes the whole time. But it appalled her when Petra suddenly turned her back to the captain right before he could reach her, wiping the tears from her eyes with the soft material of her sleeves. Uh, how sentimental. She was perhaps overjoyed — seeing her former captain, after being dead to him for what?.. a year now? Hange felt the excitement cooking inside her system. She couldn't wait to find out everything about this enigma.
Levi halted but continued approaching her shortly after. He reached out a hand to touch her shoulder. "Pet-"
MCKed in his bakers. He had to halt, confusion etched in every gesture and expression. The others watched, slightly puzzled. He had his hands raised in a gesture that showed he was not a threat.
Gigi?
Who the heck is Gigi?
"I'm sorry, Mark. I.. I was about to leave; I'll join you in the carriage very soon," Petra replied, facing him.
"Ms. Gigi, I'm afraid I have to stick around. I was requested to search for and escort you back by Mr. Tybur himself, you see."
"Alright, just give me a few more minutes then."
"Of course." Mark walked a few yards back, then leaned forward to rest his arms above the rails lining the port, looking afar to the sea, waiting for 'Eva.' It felt like a shard of glass had just lodged itself into the depths of his heart. The hope that filled it a while back quickly bled out after a moment's peace. Levi, for a time, was clueless as to what he was supposed to do next after listening to that particular exchange. His arm fell to his side.
By then, he was confident the world had gone to hell. Or maybe, just Marley. This land was probably cursed with all sorts of craziness going on. Levi wasn't prepared for something like this.
"I'm sorry. You must have mistaken me for someone else," the woman in front of Levi tells him. Levi furrowed his brows.
"Huh? The heck are you saying now?"
"Petra?! Petra, Holy shit!" Hange rambled, sauntering to where both of them were standing. "You're... alive!? How is this even possible? I mean, we were sure you died during the 57th expedi—"
"My name's not Petra," 'Gigi' cut her off, looking at Levi. "As I mentioned, I suppose you thought I am someone you knew." No.
"No," Levi's reply was instant. "Cut the crap Petra, It's not even funny." 'Gigi' blinked, trying to remain calm and composed. Who the hell is she trying to fool anyway? "I don't know what sort of shitty act you're trying to pull off right now, but it's not working."
"Err. Yeah, am pretty sure that face belongs to-" Hange started explaining, but then 'Gigi' cut her off again.
"Look. I'm really sorry if you two thought I was Petra."
"But—" Hange tried to rip through her this time.
"But I truly am not," 'Gigi'... Petra continued, aiming to look as convincing as possible. Levi knew deep in his heart that her last spoken words were a bunch of crap. "Right now, I must leave. I am needed somewhere else." She stated it coolly. It was clear 'Gigi' meant what she just said. But before she could flat out turn to leave, Levi grabbed her by the waist and pulled her aggressively into a hug.
He could see Mark straightening himself up from his periphery after seeing Levi's not-so-subtle display of actions towards her. The lad probably heard everything too. Tch. Nosy bastard.
At some point, he realized Petra only started acting like a stranger when this Mark fellow came along.
"Uh... Ms. Gigi, is everything alright? Do you even know them?" Mark asked with a louder than necessary voice. He was about to get closer, but then 'Gigi' raised a hand gesturing for him not to. Mark stopped but kept watch the whole time.
"Everything's fine, I just need to sort something out with these people." 'Gigi' replied without even glancing at Mark. She didn't answer the second question.
These people? The hell?
"Petra,... enough with this bullshit," Levi's voice grew stern. "Quit whatever stupid stunt you're performing right now. I know you remember me... you remember us." He could feel her gradually pulling away. He shifted and glanced at this woman's face, looking straight into her fiery irises. In a span of seconds, Levi had read an unspoken message in her eyes, telling him he had to let go. He felt her palms grazing the sides of his blazer. Her left hand slipped something into its right pocket.
Levi is desperate for an explanation. But it occurred to him - it had been over a year, so many things could've happened that they were kept in the dark from. More than a year ago, they had just learned of the existence of humans who could transform into titans, and no man within the island (except Grisha) had surely known of humans living outside the walls until months later. They were tremendously ignorant then, there are obviously so many possibilities they could still be oblivious to, until now. Levi loosened his grip around her. If something happened after the 57th expedition - something that the survey corps is yet to comprehend, then he should know.
How long had she been alive? Since when was this even possible?
Levi understood that if this woman was indeed Petra, she wouldn't withhold vital information from them. Yet, in the present circumstances, she seemed to be caught in a web of complications. It was understandable. Somehow, she had returned from the dead and ended up in the last place anyone would expect. And, to add to the complexity, she had just denied her own identity.
"Miss Hange, it's time to go." Onyankopoon gently reminded the commander, but Hange remained unfazed.
"Petra, what are you talking about?"
"It's fine, Hange." Levi released Petra, stepping back. He offered a brief apology, and Petra nodded.
The island devils observed as Mark escorted her away, and she gradually vanished into the crowd.
Hange was bewildered by the turn of events. She was sure it was Petra. Levi seemed to share the belief. "Levi? What—"
"Eren, if you know something, better tell us now," Levi grumbled.