In The Eyes of A Stranger [Levi Ackerman x Reader]

Chapter 10: Miracles and Mayhem

You slowly opened your eyes, grogginess lifting like a veil. The medical ward's sterile smell and dim lighting enveloped you. Armin's worried face hovered above yours.

"Thank the gods," he whispered, relief etched on his features. "You're awake."

You tried to sit up, but a sharp pain stabbed through your head. Armin gently pressed you back onto the bed.

"Easy, don't strain yourself," he said. "You took a bad fall. The medics say you'll be okay, but you need to rest."

As Armin filled you in on the events, your mind reeled.

"A Titan... appeared and started killing other Titans," Armin explained, his voice filled with awe. "We used the distraction to escape. But then... Eren emerged from its carcass."

Your eyes widened, disbelieving. 

"How?" you whispered; your voice barely audible.

Armin shook his head. "No one knows. Eren doesn't even understand it himself. But he can... shift into a Titan now at will."

Tears streamed down your face, gratitude and shock mingling.

"Eren's alive," you whispered, your voice trembling.

Armin's expression turned somber.

"But there's more. The General tried to execute Eren, deeming him a threat. General Pyxis intervened just in time."

You winced, pain and emotions overwhelming you.

"Levi..." you whispered, thinking of him.

Armin's hand closed around yours.

"I'll be okay," you assured him. "I need to get up. I need to help."

Armin hesitated.

"You're not ready," he countered.

You sat up, determination sprayed on your face.

"I can't just lay here feeling useless," you insisted. "I need to be with Eren, with the others. We have to plug Wall Rose."

Armin nodded, supporting you as you stood.

"General Pyxis is formulating a plan I suggested," Armin said. "Using Eren's newfound power to seal the breach."

You took a deep breath, steeling yourself.

"Let's go," you said.

Together, you and Armin departed the medical ward, joining the bustling preparations for the mission.

Meanwhile, outside the walls, Erwin addressed the Scout Regiment.

"We're returning to Wall Rose ahead of schedule," Erwin announced, his expression grave. "I've seen Titans heading north. I fear the same catastrophe that befell Wall Maria has occurred."

Levi's eyes widened, concern etching his features.

"(Y/N)..." he whispered, anxiety spiking.

Without a word, Levi mounted his horse and rode full speed ahead, leaving the others behind.

His thoughts were consumed by you, worry gnawing at his heart.

Is she safe? Did she survive?

Levi's horse galloped toward Wall Rose, driven by his desperation to reach you.

As he rode, the wind whipping his face, Levi's mind replayed memories of you.

Your laughter, your determination, your unwavering courage.

He couldn't shake the feeling of dread.

What if he was too late? What if you were gone?

Levi's horse devoured the distance, his heart racing with anticipation.

He would find you. He would protect you. 

No matter the cost.

~

You and Armin hastened toward the wall, the mission commencing. Signal flares pierced the sky, and soldiers scrambled into position.

As you put on your gear, wincing in pain, Armin's concerned gaze met yours.

"You sure you're ready?" he asked.

You nodded, gritting your teeth.

At the wall, the signal flares shifted from green to red, halting the mission. Something was wrong.

Armin's eyes locked onto yours, shared understanding passing between you.

Without a word, you both bolted toward Eren's expected location.

Upon arrival, your jaw dropped. Eren lay on the ground in Titan form, blacked out, his injuries healing. 

You stared in shock, this being your first glimpse of his Titan form.

Armin approached Mikasa, his voice low.

"What happened?"

Mikasa's expression twisted.

"He lost control... tried to kill me," she said, her voice laced with pain. "Now he's stuck. The soldiers are giving up hope."

Armin's determination ignited.

"I'll handle it," he said.

Sliding a sword into Eren's nape, Armin sliced through, hoping to hit his limb and wake him from this trance.

"Don't forget your goal, Eren," Armin urged. "Why you're here."

Eren's Titan form stirred, passion reigniting within.

With a mighty roar, he lifted the boulder and began walking toward the breach.

Soldiers yelled, advancing to defend Eren from stray Titans.

As Titans closed in, Armin took down one, Mikasa handled two, and you killed another, your injured body jolting in pain. 

Eren finally reached the wall, his scream echoing through the landscape.

He slammed the boulder into place, sealing the breach.

You, Armin, and Mikasa rushed to Eren as his human form emerged from the Titan.

Steam enveloped you, relief washing over your faces.

A stray Titan appeared, and your vision blurred. Your injuries overwhelmed you.

Just as you began to fall, the wires of ODM gear zipped past.

~

Outside the wall, Levi had ridden his horse at breakneck speed, thoughts of you consuming him.

The roar of a Titan and a deafening boom drew his attention to the base of Wall Rose.

Dust swirled into the air upon his arrival. He zipped up the wall with his ODM gear, faster than ever.

Levi's gaze locked onto the scene unfolding before him: you, Armin, and Mikasa pulling Eren from a Titan carcass, a Titan approaching.

In a flash, Levi charged toward the Titan, slashing it to the ground.

His eyes narrowed, fixing on you.

You were injured, a bandage wrapped around your head, on the verge of collapse.

Just in time, Levi caught you, holding you upright.

His gaze shifted to the others.

"Does anyone want to tell me what the hell is going on here?" Levi demanded.