Bonds of Steel and Blood (Levi • OC)

CHAPTER 1 - Beneath the Surface

year 845

     Shiganshina was lost. Chaos took over every district within the walls after the shocking appearance of the Colossal Titan and the destruction of Wall Maria. Fear saturated the air; it was written on every face of people who struggled to continue living their everyday lives. And even though faith in the Survey Corps slowly faded through the years, it was once again their duty to protect the citizens of Wall Maria, Rose, and Sina.

     In the Survey Corps headquarters in Trost, two people walked down a hallway. A short man with black hair, whose step was stern, and a woman with glasses, who was practically hopping beside him.

     "Can you believe Erwin is finally commander?" she sang out excitedly.

     The man only clicked his tongue in annoyance; his eyes rolled as he opened the door into an office, where a tall, blonde man sat behind his table.

     "Hello, mister 13th Commander of the Survey Corps," the woman sang again, happily clapping her hands and then saluting him by putting her right fist on her chest.

     Erwin Smith smiled slightly and stood up, revealing his tall, muscular figure.

     "Restrain your excitement, Hange, though I do appreciate it," he said, his deep, stoic voice resonating through the room.

     "Oh, come on, Erwin, you've been dreaming of this forever," Hange Zoe complained. "We can celebrate a little, right? Right, Levi?"

     The man named Levi shot her a stare from under his constantly furrowed eyebrows since his face rarely showed an expression that wasn't a frown.

     "It's not yet time for celebration," Erwin said seriously. "We have a big situation on our hands that's getting worse by the day. And the sooner we start facing it, the better."

     "And how do you plan on doing that?" Levi finally spoke with a bored voice.

     Erwin furrowed his thick eyebrows and turned to look through the window behind him. He contemplated sharing his plan with his two colleagues, knowing he would be faced with disagreement.

     "A fact is," he started slowly, "that our lines of soldiers are short. Especially skilled soldiers, who are what we need now."

     Levi and Hange exchanged glances, questioning where the commander's words were leading.

     "So?" Levi asked somewhat confrontationally. "We can't change that. Not until those idiots from the Training Corps become slightly useful."

     "We can change it," Erwin said, facing Levi and Hange with a determined expression. "At least a little. There... There's someone I know. Or rather, I used to know. If she were to join us... it would make a difference."

     While Levi's frown deepened, Hange's face lit up.

     "A mysterious person from Erwin's past?! The day just got a whole lot better! Where is this 'she'? If she's someone you find worth mentioning, why isn't she in the Corps yet?"

     Erwin looked away so they couldn't see his bright blue eyes darken.

     "She's in the underground."

     Levi's eyes widened slightly. He felt shivers down his spine just from the name of the place he was born in. Even Hange was surprised by Erwin's answer since he never mentioned personally knowing anyone from the Underground City.

     "It's been a while since she showed signs of her existence above ground, so I don't even know if she's alive," Erwin continued. "Though I don't doubt she is. And she's not just anybody, so finding someone who knows her shouldn't be hard."

     "Wait," Levi interrupted. "You plan on going on a search for a person in that hellhole when you don't even know if they're alive?"

     "Yes. I know it's probably hard to understand, but it will all be clear once you meet her. And see her fight," Erwin said confidently.

     "So you plan on roaming the underground until you find her?" Levi scoffed.

     "Indeed. And I want you to go with me," Erwin answered.

     Hange's mouth formed a little 'o', shocked by the fact Erwin would dare to ask that of Levi. The black-haired man remained quiet, then scoffed again before answering with a dead-straight face.

     "No."

     "I understand you have no desire to go down there again, but- "

     "Exactly. No desire. None."

     "Listen, Levi," Erwin tried patiently. "It may not be hard to find her, but the real challenge starts once we do. She has a... difficult personality. And some... past that might make her resentful towards us. She won't just peacefully come with us. You didn't either, if I remember correctly."

     Levi glared at the commander, not happy by the mention of those past events.

     "So you're saying you want me to go with you because you fear you won't be able to handle her alone?" he mocked.

     Erwin reluctantly nodded. Levi and Hange were surprised, questioning what kind of person would make even Erwin that cautious. After a short silence, Levi's curiosity got the better of him.

     "Fine. I'll go. But don't expect me to play the inspiring Scout for this friend of yours."

     Erwin smiled somewhat sadly.

     "It wouldn't work on her anyways," he said quietly, almost as if talking to himself. "Call Miche. Having another pair of strong hands with us might be good."

     "Hey! What, I'm not good enough?" Hange complained with a pout.

     "Shut up, Foureyes," Levi groaned. "Like we'd ever let an unhinged freak like you down there. You'd enjoy it way too much."

     Levi left speechless Hange in Erwin's office, walking to the training grounds to find Miche. His frown deepened with every step as he tried to bury the anxiety rising within him.