The Heart of Humanity

Chapter 9: The Expedition (Part 2)

The rain was heavier than they were used to. In the Underground, they mostly got the runoff while rain pelted away at the surface. It also felt colder, or perhaps it was Levi's nerves finally getting to him. He couldn't stop thinking of Eva, of that moment of hesitation. It was their way of saying we're in this together without having to say anything. Then there was Erwin's question bouncing in his head, are you beginning to have doubts? What did he know? Did Eva say something, did she slip trying to get the document?

"I didn't know rain could be this heavy!" Isabel shouted.

"Me neither. We won't be able to see any titans before it's too late," Furlan replied.

"This is our chance. We'll use the rain as cover and get close to Erwin," Levi directed, pulling up his hood.

"Are we gonna go for it, bro?" Isabel asked.

"Yeah, but it'd be suspicious if all three of us were to break away at once. I'll go alone," He replied.

"True, it's probably best not to carelessly move around and Eva should be within range for backup if you need it," Furlan agreed.

"We're counting on you, go and secure our surface citizenship!" Isabel encouraged. Levi looked back at them, taking their belief in him with the utmost respect. This was their only chance, and he wasn't going to let them down.

"If anyone asks, tell them I went to survey the terrain."

"Got it!" Furlan confirmed, and with that Levi took off. He took one more look back at his friends. Isabel waved, grinning and Furlan sent him a nod before they were engulfed by the heavy fog. Erwin's questions once again bounced in his head and Eva's hesitation weighed on him. Levi flicked his reins; he was going to kill Erwin with his bare hands if he had to. He'd finish the job, and secure citizenship to the surface outside of the military. He would guarantee the safety of his family. Levi pulled back on his reins as he reached a ridge, his horse turned sharply coming to a stop. Even through the heavy rain, the air smelt of iron and death.

"What the hell..." What happened here? There was no one left, they were all slaughtered. Their bodies were scattered in pieces across the field and the earth was stained red, soaked with their blood. Levi noticed movement not far from him, the sound of a flair gun echoed and he turned. A black flair soared into the air, this meant heavy loss or an abnormal Titan. Levi doubted anyone could even see it in this storm. The soldier, who was barely alive pointed behind him.

"The titan," He croaked. His final words - a warning - as his body succumbed to its injuries. Levi followed his point, his heart sinking when he saw deep footprints in the mud. It ran right past him, past him and towards Isabel and Furlan. He turned back, pushing his horse as fast as it would go. He shouldn't have left; he shouldn't have separated from them. An arm caught his attention, and his stomach churned as he kept telling himself they were okay, they had to be okay. His horse stumbled over a fallen body, and Levi was thrown off. He barely avoided being crushed by the horse cringing when he landed on his knees, but any thought of pain faded away when a familiar face came into focus.

"Isabel," He breathed. It was just her head, face frozen in fear as her eyes stared wide and empty up at him. Levi's heart was pounding in his ears, he felt suddenly sick. Like he would vomit or pass out, or maybe both. A strangled cry brought his attention up, the titan he had missed. The one he might have seen and killed had he not been so focused on Erwin.

"Fur-Furlan," The titan's eyes seemed to glow red. Furlan hung out of its mouth and with a sickening crunch, he was split in half. The titan tossed aside the upper half of his body like it was nothing like he was trash. Levi's heart felt like it was going to explode from his chest, but in his head, he heard Eva's voice. When she was young. After she faced an enemy that should have ended her life. 'It's like knowing exactly what needs to be done and how to do it. It's a spark that goes off, it's panic replaced by calm'  It was like nothing she'd ever felt before. Levi rose, his blades at his side as the sound of his own heart faded away and was replaced with overwhelming rage. He knew what to do, he'd finish the titan here and use this new power to make Erwin pay.