Retrieving Footsteps [Levi x Reader]

Weaponry

The next week was intense but exhilarating. With each passing test, the crystal prototype showed more stability, more power. Every tweak Hange suggested, every calculation Armin double-checked, brought us closer to a fully functional weapon. It was as if the entire team could feel the weight of our accomplishment bearing down—but in the best way possible.

The final test day arrived, and we all gathered in the testing area. Levi stood at the front, his arms crossed, his eyes sweeping over the group. There was a quiet pride in his gaze—a look of confidence that only Levi could pull off without saying a word.

"Alright, last test," he said, glancing at me. "Let's make it count."

I stepped forward, my heart pounding as I readied the controls. The room was filled with tense anticipation, but the nervousness I usually felt was gone. This time, I was focused, steady, and more confident than ever in what we had built.

With a deep breath, I activated the prototype. The crystal energy surged forward in a controlled stream, lighting up the area with a bright, steady glow. The power output was exactly where we wanted it to be, and the containment held perfectly. We watched as the energy channeled through each component, flowing seamlessly from one part of the mechanism to the next. For the first time, it felt like everything had fallen into place.

When the test concluded, silence hung in the air for a brief moment before cheers erupted. Eren fist-pumped the air, and Hange looked like she was on the verge of a celebratory dance. Even Kenny gave a slow nod of acknowledgment from the back of the room, though he kept his usual smirk.

Levi approached, his gaze steady. "Good work," he said, his voice low but full of meaning. "All of you."

Turning to me, he added, "And you—you did more than anyone could've expected."

Feeling his praise settle over me, I managed a quiet, "Thank you, Levi." It was hard not to beam under his approval.

"Don't let it go to your head," he teased, a rare hint of warmth in his tone. But his small smirk told me he was proud, and that was all I needed.

Later that evening, we gathered for a quiet celebration in the mess hall. Everyone was exhausted but energized, caught between the satisfaction of a job well done and the thrill of what lay ahead. The crystal weapon was ready, and as I looked around at my friends, I felt a fierce pride for everything we had achieved together.

Levi caught my eye from across the room, lifting a glass in a silent toast. And as I raised mine in return, I knew this was just the beginning. We'd built something powerful, something that could change the tide in the war against the Titans. And I was ready—more than ever—to stand by Levi and see it through.

The day had finally arrived to present the completed crystal weapons to the higher-ups. Levi led the way into the demonstration hall, his gaze sharp and authoritative, a presence that made even the most skeptical in the room take notice. The rest of the team stood at attention, each person ready to showcase their part in the project.

Levi stepped forward first, his tone crisp and to the point. "These prototypes," he said, gesturing to the display, "are designed to give us the advantage against the Titans, both in offense and defense. We've tested each one under combat conditions, and today, you'll see exactly what they can do."

With a nod from Levi, I took my place in front of the weapons, heart pounding but steady as I faced the rows of higher-ups. "I'll start with the defensive line of weapons," I said, my voice clear. "This crystal shield, for example, can absorb a Titan's impact, redirecting the force and protecting the soldier from injury. It's lightweight but durable, and with just one shift in grip, it can be transformed into a barrier large enough to shield multiple soldiers."

Hange eagerly stepped forward to demonstrate, holding the crystal shield as she charged forward and took a mock Titan strike. The impact was absorbed, the crystal glowing with energy, then instantly returning to its solid state. The higher-ups murmured in approval, some even leaning forward with interest.

"Next, we have the offensive weaponry," I continued, feeling a growing confidence in each word. "This crystal spear harnesses condensed energy that's capable of piercing even the toughest Titan skin. It's compact but powerful, giving soldiers a way to strike fast without sacrificing precision."

Eren demonstrated, moving with speed as he lunged forward, his expression set in fierce concentration. He struck the target with ease, the crystal tip embedding deeply and releasing a controlled surge of energy that simulated the critical impact needed in battle.

The higher-ups looked impressed, and one of them glanced at Levi, nodding. Levi's expression remained neutral, but there was a faint glint of pride in his eyes.

As the demonstrations continued, I explained each weapon's unique features. The crystal gauntlets that allowed for quick, effective hand-to-hand combat with Titans. The long-range crystal cannon that Armin and I had developed, designed to cover soldiers from a distance with precise, powerful shots. Each prototype had a purpose, carefully engineered to address the deadly encounters soldiers faced daily.

By the end of the demonstration, the higher-ups had seen enough. They exchanged approving glances, and one of them stepped forward. "Impressive work," he said, nodding toward Levi. "Your team has outdone themselves. These weapons will be essential in shifting the tide of battle."

Levi simply nodded, his face calm but resolute. "We knew what was at stake," he replied, his gaze flicking briefly to me. "They all did."

As the higher-ups moved out of the hall, I could feel a weight lift. Levi approached me, his eyes holding that rare warmth, a look of quiet satisfaction.

"Good work," he said softly. "All of you."

The team gathered around, a collective grin spreading across their faces. It felt surreal, standing there with the project complete, the weapons ready to make a difference in the war against the Titans. This was our victory, and with Levi's approval, it felt complete.