Tainted (Levi x Reader)

Chapter 22

Your squad surged into the room, Sasha quickly firing flaming arrows at each of the barrels. The explosions filled the air with a stubborn black smoke, obscuring the field so the Scouts could ambush and evade the enemy.

"Shoot 'em down!" Calls echoed as you flew through the air, hunting down Kenny's soldiers. You located one more by sound than sight, propelling yourself toward him through a bank of smoke and swiftly dispatching him with a clean slice to the neck. You repeated this tactic, taking down many more until you were covered in blood.

You swung around as you noticed one woman preparing to fire at Connie, leaping up behind her and bringing both swords down in two gaps in the back of her armor. She plummeted to the floor with a choked cry.

Explosions continuously went off, and flares were being fired by Armin and several others to back up those still fighting. You found yourself being chased by five enemies at once, narrowly dodging their shots and the crystal pillars of the space. You managed to lose one by making a sharp turn, forcing them to slam into a pillar, but the other four were still annoyingly persistent. It was all you could do to not get killed. You looked over your shoulder, eyes locking with the enraged, icy-blue ones of their leader as she led the coordinated attack. Some backup would be nice, dammit!

Something flashed behind her. You seemed to watch in slow motion as it left behind nothing but screams and sprays of blood. Levi!

Levi was rapidly gaining on the blonde woman who was chasing you, when he was suddenly forced to dodge two shots from none other than Kenny. You left them to it and turned to engage the woman, swinging your swords. She dodged the first attack so closely that it sliced off a few hairs on her bangs. She got in a harsh kick to your stomach, sending you spiraling away for a moment.

Hange suddenly swung into view, coming to help you. The woman shot a hook into your comrade, jerking it and launching Hange into a pillar, where they tumbled to the ground.

The enemy ordered a retreat to their final defensive post, the remnants of their forces zipping away to regroup. Ignoring the pain in your gut, you made toward Hange and dropped to the ground, crouching to assess their injuries as best you could. You had to pass them on to Armin and Moblit as Levi ordered you all to press forward.

A flash of yellow lit up the crystal tunnel, followed by a fierce wind that threatened to knock you over. You were almost sent tumbling, but Sasha grabbed your wrist to help keep you up.

"Now's our chance!" you called to Levi, pointing up at a gap in the ceiling that had previously been blocked off. He led the way through it with you, Jean, Sasha, Connie, and Mikasa on his heels. From there you were able to bypass Kenny's soldiers and go straight to the main cavern.

Inside, a huge titan was still forming. You reached Eren where he was chained up on a ledge, waiting for Levi to finish the first set of locks and hand the keys to you so you could undo the ones on Eren's ankles. The hot air blowing on you seared your skin as you worked, making you squint your eyes against it.

Pulling Eren, you all scrambled back just in time to avoid falling debris, sheltering against the back edge of the cave next to Mikasa and Historia. You flattened yourself to the wall beside Levi, turning your face away as Eren sobbed in despair.

This can't be it! you thought desperately. You grabbed Levi's hand tightly, causing him to look over and lock eyes with you, his brow tented with worry. We can't die like this. Humanity needs us. And besides, there's so much more I want.

He squeezed your hand back before shifting his gaze to Eren and speaking. "You know, I hate doing this to you every time, but...Eren. You've gotta make the choice."