The Humanity's Strongest & The Graceful

A Race Against Time

Levi's POV:

After the soldier, who I gave comforting words in his final moments, passed, my eyes quickly went looking for Tessa. I know that each death is getting harder for her to accept because she has told Hange and me that she feels like she's failing her job and failing Vanessa. Even with us reassuring her that she's doing enough, Tessa still needs a minute to process it. I sigh because I can't give her the comfort she needs right now. We have a job to do, so it will have to wait. Suddenly the scent of strawberries and vanilla outweighs the stench of death and steam as my eyes find the beauty who has sky-blue eyes wiping her face with the sleeve of her jacket. Tessa sees the concerned look in my eyes but waves it off with a nod to say she's okay. However, Tessa knows I can see right through her.

By the time Tessa returns, Petra has already covered the soldier's body, and I watch Tessa look away again. I know she's trying her best to hold it together, but I can see through the cracks of her facade that she's slipping. It's another thing that I have noticed after each death. When Tessa puts on the brave front, she tries to remain firm for everyone else because they rely on her hope to keep going, yet the fissures of her strength are starting to be noticeable. How long until it breaks completely and leaves Tessa to express her emotions in front of everyone? The question remains unanswered as the sound of the hooves and Erwin's voice laps over it, "Levi! Tessa!" His voice makes Tessa break out of her trance as we both turn to look at him. Kip runs to Tessa's side and sits beside her leg as we wait for Erwin to explain what's going on, "We're pulling out." Erwin says as he stops his horse, which causes Tessa and I to look at each other and then at him again, "Wha-What? Why, Erwin?" Tessa asks as she steps forward, and I join her, "You damn well know that we can keep going. Our men did not die to pay for our retreat," I add as I glare at him, "We can't delay-" I go to say, but Erwin stops me, "There is an unnumbered amount of Titans heading north. Possibly baring down on the city of Trost." He says as he looks at Tessa.

Suddenly I see Tessa's eyes widen as her hand goes to her chest, "Tess," I say, but her rapid breathing is drowning out my voice, "Tess, look at me." I order as I grab her hand. I feel Tessa's entire body shake in my hand as she tries to hold onto it and steady her breathing, "Wh-What the hell happened?" She stutters as she glares at Erwin, who looks away in the direction of where he came from, "It's just like five years ago, Tessa," He answers, then sighs, "Something tells me this is going to be bad." He admits. Tessa and I look at each other and share the same thought that the Colossal Titan has struck again while we were away from the city to protect it, just like before. We hear Erwin sigh again and look at him, "For all we know, the gate has been reduced to rubble, and Titans are seeping in one by one. It's just like the fall of Wall Maria." He repeats, and I feel Tessa tightly grip my hand, and I see her beautiful sky-blue eyes go cold, "Not if we can fucking stop it." She answers before letting go of my hand, and Erwin's eyes widen, "Tessa, what are you doing?" He asks, and Tessa looks at him, "Not letting history repeat itself." She answers, then whistles for Star.

Erwin and I look at each other and nod because we both know Tessa is serious about not letting history repeat itself. Not when we already have so much on the line. Erwin fires a blue flare in our location, which makes more flares paint the already blue sky, "Scouts! Return to Wall Rose!" He orders, echoing in the desiccated city. I look to see Star and Shadow coming toward Tessa with Hange and the rest of our squad following behind them, "Tess," I call out, and Tessa looks at me, still having the cold glint in her eyes, "I can't let it happen again, Levi. I can't handle that pain again. I-" She admits, and I shake my head, "I know, but you're not doing this alone." I reassure her, and she smiles before mouthing a 'thank you.' After we both climb onto our horses, Hange joins Tessa's side, "Why is Erwin signaling a retreat? I haven't got my Titans yet." She whines, and I roll my eyes, "Because we need to head back to Trost. Now," I answer, "You'll have to get your experiments later, Four-Eyes." I add with a glare, indicating to Hange not to start because Tessa isn't in the mood, to which she nods.