Final Mission

Shadows and Resilience

Present day . . .

The air in the military bunk room was cooler, a welcome reprieve from the suffocating heat outside. Deep shadows mingled with the dim light cast by a single overhead bulb, illuminating the small space cluttered with gear, duffle bags, and the weight of shared histories among the men stationed there.

At the far side of the room, Levi sat on the edge of his cot, his back straight and posture rigid as he meticulously cleaned his profile. Each deliberate motion seemed to reflect his mind---a storm of thought kept at bay, while the rhythmic sound of cleaning could almost drown out the resentment that shimmered within him. A frown remained on his face, accentuated as he focused, utterly disengaged from the world around him.

In sharp contrast, Eren stood at the center, brimming with engert despite the haze of grief that hung over them like a smothering fog. He leaned against the wall, animatedly chatting with Jean Kirsten and Marco Bott, each word a reminder of the life swirling just beyond the sorrow.

" Seriously, Jean, how can you call that a meal?  " Eren scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest, a playful grin illuminating his face. " I mean, if I have to eat another MRE that taste like cardboard, I swear I'll cry. "

" Hate to break it to you, but complaining isn't going to change anything, " Jean shot back, rolling his eyes. " At least you can count on it to stay the same. Consistency, right? "

" And hey, it's almost like they're trying to prepare our stomach's for the battlefield, " Marco added, chuckling lightly. " You know, by toughening us up! Who needs home--cooked meals when you have the taste of the front lines "

" Yeah, because that's what I want---my stomach hardened in preparation for war, " Eren said sarcastically, then looked over to Levi, shooting him a conspiratorial glance. " How about you, Levi?  Care to weigh in on the culinary disasters of military life? "

Levi paused, glancing up from his rifile. " It's a bike race, not a cook-off, " he replied, his voice flat, but beneath the gruffness, warmth danced in his eyes. " Food's fuel. Just eat and get it over with. "

" Classic Levi, " Eren chuckled, a warm light radiating from him as he leaned into the camaraderie. " You're practically a motivational speaker for mediocrity. "

As laughter filled the small space, Levi refocused on his rifle, polishing the barrel with calculated precision. Moments like these served as a fleeting distraction from the weight carried on all their shoulders, a reminder of everything they had lost.

Jean's voice broke through. " Seriously, though, if you had to eat a single food for the rest of your life, what would it be? I bet you'd say something grim like black coffee or--- "

" Black coffee is the only option worth considering, " Levi snapped, frustration creeping in.

" Bleak as ever, " Marco laughed, trying to lighten the moment. " You really ought to allow yourself some joy sometimes, Levi. I mean, you're always cleaning that rifle. Can't we get a living, breathing smile out of you just once? "

" Just because you put on a happy face doesn't mean it automatically translate into joy, " Levi retorted, the edge softening into something more reflective.  " Happiness doesn't come from appearances. And besides, this is my way of finding peace. You can either respect that or learn to be quiet. "

" A little grumpy, aren't we? " Eren teased, nudging Levi playfully as he moved around the small space. The laughter and friendly banter continued, filling the air with a semblance of normalcy. Yet, the brief moments of levity were soon shattered as the door swung open.

Erwin Smith, the Marines ' commanding officer, strode into the room, his presence drawling immediate attention. The room quieted, the air thickening as Erwin surveyed them with an air of somber determination. " Listen up, " he began, stepping to the center.

" Levi, Eren, Jean, Marco,---bad News and more bad news. You're being deployed to basra. "

Eren's heart sank at the abrupt shift from playful banter to the impending gravity of their duty. " What's going on in basra? Sir. "

" There have been reports of increasing interest among the local populace, " Erwin stated, his eyes shifting from face to face, gauging their reactions. " We need you to survey the area and protect the Arabs while they work to get their supply trucks back up and running. They can't afford any disruptions. "

Jean exchanged uneasy glances with Marco, his jaw tightening as he processed the situation. " So. . . Just the four of us? Are we even enough for this?  "

" It'll be dangerous---there's no question about that, " Erwin answered, his tone unwavering. " But we need to regain order in the region. Your team has proven time and again that you can handle intense situations. I trust you all. "

The air went electric with apprehension. Eren glanced towards Levi, who was back to polishing his rifle, his eyes hard and distant, but there was an undercurrent of understanding passing between them. This was their life, this relentless dance of fear and determination.

" Sir, when do we leave? " Eren asked, his voice steadying despite the tremor beneath.

" Immediately. Gather your gear. You'll rendezvous with a convoy heading out in an hour, " Erwin replied, taking a hand through his short hair before departing, leaving the weight of the impending decisions behind him.

In the silence that followed, Levi finally put down his rifle, meeting Eren's gaze directly. The air crackled between them, a shared awareness of the storm looking on the horizon.

" Let's finish what we started, " Levi said, a stotic determination in his voice that galvanized Eren's spirit.

Together, they gathered their gear, their minds racing with the looming uncertainty. This was not just another mission. This was a fight for survival ---for each other and for those who had already paid the highest price. War might break them, but it wouldn't destroy their resolve.