Your Wings - Reader X Levi Ackerman

Chapter 7: The Scouts

Erwin and his group lead you to a wagon waiting by the gates, where two brown horses stand patiently in front. With a practiced movement, Erwin climbs onto the wagon and turns to help you up. He reaches out, offering his hand, and you step up, settling yourself across from him on the wooden seat. The rest of his group follows in a separate wagon behind, leaving you and Erwin alone in the quiet of the ride.

The awkwardness between you is palpable, made all the more uncomfortable by the sight of Erwin gently cleaning the cuts you left on him. The white handkerchief he pulls from his pocket is now stained with a dark red as he carefully dabs at his injuries.

Noticing the unease on your face, Erwin offers a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I've had worse," he says, his voice light, though the blood on the cloth betrays the severity of his injuries.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to hurt you," you say, a sigh escaping your lips. "I was just trying to protect myself."

Erwin's smile softens as he speaks. "Completely understandable. If I were in your position, I'd have done the same. It shows you've got a lot of fight in you. Exactly the kind of spirit we need to take down Titans. The fact that we had to use a tranquilizer to subdue you is actually... impressive."

Your mind races, your curiosity piqued. "Speaking of Titans... I would like to know more about them."

You lean forward slightly, your eyes fixed on him, but his gaze shifts briefly to the front as the wagon passes through the first gate and begins its ascent. His expression turns serious as he turns back to you.

"No one knows for sure where they came from," Erwin begins, his tone grave. "But they've been around as long as anyone can remember. They're humanoid, though many have deformities that make them even more unsettling. Some tower over us at 15 meters tall, while others are only about 3 meters. But no matter their size, their goal is always the same: to kill. It's like an instinct—if they see a human, they chase and try to devour them. They don't care about animals, plants, or anything else... just humans."

You swallow hard, the implications of his words sinking in. 

Erwin's gaze sharpens. "We're still trying to understand the true reason behind their behavior. What we do know is that they don't even have a digestive system, so there's no biological reason for them to eat at all."

"That's terrifying," you murmur, shivering despite yourself.

"It is," he agrees quietly. "Being a soldier in this world... it's not for the faint of heart. But I respect those who fight, who are willing to make sacrifices for humanity's survival."

You chuckle nervously, but it's more out of discomfort than amusement. "Maybe I should've just been sent to prison... at least it would have been safer there."

Erwin laughs softly, though there's little humor in it. "I think you'll do just fine in the Scouts."

A heavy silence falls between you as the city of the underground grows smaller in the distance. You can hardly believe it. You're leaving everything you've ever known behind, stepping into a whole new world. Fear, anxiety, and excitement all churn together in your chest.

Then, the sight of a wooden gate ahead catches your eye. As you draw nearer, the warmth of the light from beyond feels almost tangible, and your heart beats faster with anticipation.

The gate begins to rise, and you can finally see the surface. You shield your eyes from the sudden brightness as they adjust, and you're greeted with the sight of wide-open spaces, tall buildings, and people who seem healthy, happy, and free. It's everything the underground was not, and in that moment, you can't help but feel a surge of excitement.