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The rain was falling heavily on the uneven cobblestones of the inner district streets, turning the ground into a maze of puddles and mud. The drops hit with force, creating a symphony of noise on the tin roofs, windows, and stone walls, blurring the view and cloaking the city in a watery veil. The sky was a steely gray, and thunder rumbled in the distance, foretelling an even stronger storm on the way.
Hanji walked at the front of the small group, holding a lantern that swayed with her steps. The flickering light cast dancing shadows on the damp stone walls, adding to the strange, mysterious atmosphere. Moblit, her loyal assistant, followed closely, trying not to trip on the slippery cobblestones. He cast wary glances around him, clearly uncomfortable with the dark and oppressive surroundings.
Behind them, Levi walked beside Marie. His face was as impassive as ever, but an impatient glint shone in his gray eyes. Rain seeped into his black hair, plastering it to his forehead, though he didn't seem to mind. With each step, his boots splashed through puddles, yet his pace remained steady, determined.
Marie, on the other hand, looked lost. She glanced all around, her blue eyes glassy, focused on unseen points. She nervously ran a trembling hand through her damp hair, her lips moving but producing no clear sound, murmuring incoherent phrases. Her breathing was erratic, and she seemed completely disoriented.
Levi cast an annoyed glance toward Hanji, finally breaking the heavy silence. "Where the hell is Erwin?" he growled, impatience sharpening his voice. "He's been absent from the battalion for days. Is he taking a dump or what?"
Hanji turned her head slightly, a mischievous smile appearing on her face despite the gravity of the situation. "He's in a meeting with all the heads of the various armed corps," she replied, her voice almost sing-song despite the pounding rain. "Apparently, it's a matter of utmost importance. They've been discussing it for days."
Levi rolled his eyes, clearly frustrated. "Important matters, my ass," he muttered, his tone growing rougher. "If they're spending that much time talking, it's because they don't know what to do."
Beside him, Marie kept murmuring, her voice barely audible under the sound of the rain. She was repeating incomprehensible words, as if trying to grasp a memory slipping through her fingers. Levi noticed her strange behavior, his eyes narrowing with concern and suspicion. "What are you babbling about, kid?" he asked brusquely, trying to catch her attention.
Marie turned her head toward him, her glassy eyes fixed on his face without truly seeing him. "Levi..." she murmured, her tone strange, almost distant. "Levi... Levi..." She kept repeating his name, as if it were the only word she could remember.
