Beyond The Walls (AOT x OC Fanfic)

Beneath the Armor

The morning sun cast its golden light over Trost, illuminating the bustling crowd of townsfolk and soldiers gathered at the gates. All eyes were on the Recon Corps, the pride of humanity, preparing to venture beyond the walls once more.

"There they are!" a man in the crowd shouted, excitement lacing his voice. "The main force of the Recon Corps!"

The crowd buzzed with murmurs and cheers as they caught sight of Commander Erwin and Lance Corporal Levi, humanity's strongest soldiers.

"Commander Erwin! Kick their Titan asses for me!" another voice rang out.

"Look! It's Lance Corporal Levi! They say in battle, he's as strong as a whole brigade!"

Levi's expression was an unimpressed scowl as he glanced briefly at the crowd, muttering under his breath, "Tsk... Shut up already..."

Beside him, Hanji chuckled, nudging him playfully. "I bet they wouldn't worship you so much if they knew what an obsessive clean freak you are."

"Shut it, four eyes," Levi shot back, though his voice lacked the usual sharpness.

"Ouch! Hit a nerve, did I?" Hanji teased, eyeing him with a sly grin. "Ya know, you've been more cold since Jeiden left. You missing her?"

Levi clicked his tongue, looking away, but his thoughts betrayed him. I am, actually. I just hope the brat is still alive.

The heavy gates to the outside world creaked open, and the Recon Corps stepped forward. Hanji's eyes gleamed with an unsettling enthusiasm as she looked toward the vast unknown.

"The Titans are out there!" she exclaimed, her voice almost trembling with excitement. "I wonder what kind of Titans I'll see this time! I'd really love to see some abnormal ones!"

Levi smirked, turning to her. "I can see an abnormal one already."

"Where?" Hanji asked, genuinely intrigued.

Levi reached out, grabbing her by the hair and turning her to face him. "Right here."

"Move out!" Erwin commanded, his voice cutting through the morning air, signaling the beginning of the expedition.

Surveying outlying areas and establishing supply points that would support a human advance. The Survey Corps entrusted with this mission were mankind's best and brightest soldiers.

The ingenuity of these few raised the survival rates for all. Even so, when troops advanced into Titan territory, casualties still exceeded 30%.

That's just how great the power gap between Titans and men was.

Meanwhile, in Trost, the Titans had breached the walls. Chaos erupted as soldiers and civilians alike fought to escape or hold back the Titans. On the battlefield, the brutal reality of war against Titans was displayed in horrific clarity.

A soldier, trapped within the grip of a massive Titan, glared defiantly. Bloodied and exhausted, he raised his blade with shaking hands. "Just... Just watch... you bastards..." he gasped. "Mankind will... destroy you all... Mankind will... survive..."

With a final, desperate swing, he drove his blade into the Titan's face. The Titan's massive jaws snapped shut, severing the soldier's body, but he died with his last words ringing out. "You bastards... will all... fall to Lance Corporal Levi!"

A blur shot through the air above him. A 3DMG hook whizzed past the Titan's nape, lodging into a nearby wall. Levi flew past, his movements swift and deadly, slicing through the Titan's neck in one seamless motion. The Titan crumbled, lifeless, to the ground as Levi landed gracefully on a nearby rooftop.