The early morning light filtered through the towering trees surrounding the Survey Corps headquarters, casting a gentle glow on the cobbled paths. Captain Levi was on his way to Commander Erwin's office; The early hour found him prepared for the day's challenges, a silent figure weaving through the tapestry of routine and duty that unfolded within the heart of the Survey Corps headquarters.
The corridors of the main building were still quiet as he made his way to his destination. Levi raised his hand to knock on Erwin's office door, but to his surprise, the door swung open before he had a chance to do so.
"Ah!" The sudden exclamation sliced through the air when a young woman nearly collided with him in her haste to exit the room. "I... I'm sorry, Captain!" Her words rushed out in a breathy apology, tinged with a hint of anxiety. Levi could only see a glimpse of a Scout Regiment uniform and a whisk of a honey-blond hair when she had already swiftly sidestepped him, her hurried footsteps echoing down the dimly lit corridor before he could even say a word— Levi, momentarily caught off guard, watched her retreat with a furrowed brow. This single encounter had completely broken the silent tranquility of the morning, and he couldn't help but to feel slightly irritated by it.
As he stepped into the room, he saw Erwin seated behind his desk— Hearing someone come in, he looked up from a stack of papers, his stern expression softening at the sight of Levi's entrance. "Levi, is there something you need?"
Levi grunted in response, his mind still grappling with the enigma of the hurried woman. "Who was that?" He inquired, a subtle edge in his tone.
"Ah. Her." Erwin's response carried a nonchalant air as he leaned back in his chair. "Rosa Walch. I'm not sure if you can remember her— She used to be in Hecker's squad."
"Hecker's? Well, that explains it…" Levi muttered half to himself. He wasn't going to ask about it, but something about the woman's appearance had piqued his interest; His run in with her had been a brief one, but he had managed to catch a glimpse of the bandages that covered part of her face.
The name Rosa Walch resonated in Levi's memory. He remembered seeing her before, a few years ago, back when she had first joined the Survey Corps. It was hard not to notice her— She had been a lively one, full of passion and a fiery sense of determination. Now, she seemed much different from that time. Where once had been a vivacious and charismatic woman was now a haunted shadow. The revelation that she had been part of Hecker's squad allowed Levi to connect the dots; Remembering their latest expedition a month ago, he could guess what had happened to her… and the thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.
After a short moment, Levi spoke up again. "So. What did she want?"
"She wanted to be appointed to a new squad." Erwin's gaze darkened as he spoke. "We have too few men as it is, but… with her injuries, she is not fit for battle. Not yet, at least."
Levi's brows knit together, absorbing the gravity of Erwin's revelation— The Survey Corps' dwindling numbers were a constant concern, and adding yet one more injured soldier to the roster only deepened the predicament. He knew the battlefield's ruthlessness, understood the unforgiving nature of their mission, and yet, the conflicted expression on Erwin's face mirrored his own inner turmoil.
"Can't she be assigned to a non-combat role?" Levi's voice cut through the tense air, his pragmatic nature surfacing.
Erwin sighed, acknowledging the harsh reality. "I proposed that, but she's adamant about contributing on the front lines. It seems her sense of duty hasn't wavered, despite the hardships she's endured."
Levi's gaze hardened as he considered the woman who once embodied vitality and spirit. "Stubborn fool." He muttered under his breath, though there was a subtle understanding in his eyes. He was well-acquainted with the unyielding determination of a Survey Corps soldier. They all faced death's shadow every time they ventured beyond the walls, and yet, they kept returning to the fray. No matter the risks or the casualties, their resolve never faltered.
"It's admirable, if not a little troubling." Erwin added. "I know she's a strong fighter, but with her current condition... She won't make it through another expedition. We can't risk losing such an able-bodied soldier." The commander's words lingered in the air, his gaze focused on the empty spot where the young woman had stood moments ago. The morning light that filtered through the window cast his eyes in an intense, stormy blue, a stark contrast to the warmth of the soft glow that painted the room.
The day passed, but Levi's encounter with Rosa left him with a lingering sense of intrigue. She was a mystery, a story that Levi couldn't decipher at a mere glance.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the Survey Corps HQ training grounds. The training grounds were nearly empty, as most of the cadets had already withdrawn to the mess hall for supper.
But not Rosa Walch; Her fingers were already spasming from intense 3dmg training, but she kept going. Her honey-blond hair, usually confined in a single braid, now bore traces of disarray, strands escaping their usual order in the haste that surrounded her. A small whimper escaped her throat, and she tightened her grip on the blades, steeling herself for another round. Her hands shook from pain, the metal of the blades glinting like razors in the last rays of sunlight. "Just a little more… one clean cut…" She coached herself, her body aching, begging for a rest.
After yet another painful crash onto the ground after an ill-timed attack, Rosa couldn't help but to curse aloud. "Fucking HELL!" She shouted almost from the top of her lungs. Her hand instinctively reached for the bandages that covered her left eye. Her field of view now cut in half from what it was, she had to fight the urge to rip the bandages off— But she knew it wouldn't help a thing.
"Training in that mindset won't do any good."
Startled by the sudden voice, Rosa looked up, finding Captain Levi standing at the training grounds entrance. How long had he been there?
"What do you suggest, then? Meditation?" Rosa said dryly, a subtle edge of frustration in her voice. After taking a few moments to collect herself, she rose to her feet, the muscles of her back screaming in protest. She took a step forward, her jaw clenched, her expression determined. She was prepared to keep going until-
"If you're planning to keep going until you pass out, forget it." Levi's voice was cold, his eyes fixed on the blades she held in her hands.
Rosa fell silent, her gaze flicking down to her blades. There was something about his intense stare that made her feel uneasy, but she refused to admit her defeat. She met his stare, her expression defiant. "Why should I? What's it to you?" She retorted, the bitterness seeping into her tone.
"Because if you do, I'm going to be the one that has to carry you to the infirmary… and I'm not cleaning up after your foolishness." He clicked his tongue— His presence was imposing, but his demeanor was strangely calm.
Rosa's expression fell, a wave of shame washing over her. She looked down at her feet, her lips pressing into a tight line. "I just... I need to-" She muttered, her voice barely audible.
"Go to bed. It's an order." Levi commanded, more sternly this time.
Rosa didn't respond. She stared at the ground, her fists clenched tight, her knuckles white. Her head throbbed, the pain radiating through her skull, and the last thing she wanted was to go back to her quarters— But Captain was right, and she knew it. She let out a shaky sigh, and then, with a defeated nod, she walked past him. Before disappearing into the night, Rosa looked up, a grim smile curling her lips. "Good night, Captain." Her voice was hoarse, exhaustion lacing her tone. Without another word, she turned her back and walked away.
Levi watched her retreating form, his gaze dark and unreadable. He had seen this happen before, more than once; Soldiers with wounded pride, clinging to a futile hope of reclaiming their strength. But with Rosa, he couldn't help but to feel like there was something more to it. The bandages covering her left eye concealed a story untold, and her green eye that was uncovered carried a depth, a silent undercurrent that hinted at turmoil beneath the surface.
Even after Rosa disappeared into the night, Levi's gaze lingered on the empty training grounds, the echo of her whispering that bid him good night still lingering in the air. He stood there for a moment, his thoughts a silent tempest. Rosa's determination, mixed with the pain etched into every line of her face, resonated with a familiarity that cut deeper than the blades she wielded. With a resolute exhale, Levi turned away from the empty grounds.
Rosa's resilience, in the face of both physical and emotional pain, had left an imprint on the seasoned captain. He was certain he'd meet her again soon.