Tainted Vision | Levi x Reader

23rd Expedition | Part 8

It was the next morning, meaning that today was the day we would finally complete this job and earn our right to live above ground.

As each minute passed and we neared the gates of Wall Maria, my nervousness had begun rising. but I couldn't let that distract me. Not today. Everything had to be perfect, one misstep and I could die, not to mention jeopardize everyone else's lives. Speaking of titans. I'd never seen in before, other than drawings and designs I saw from one of the superiors who was obsessed with them. She would always find a way to us and sneak into our conversations which was more or less annoying.

"Open the gates!"

My thoughts were interrupted as I heard Commander Keith's voice rip through the silence of the walls. I swear, with how loud his voice was he'd probably woken up everyone in Wall Maria by now.

It took no longer than a few seconds before I heard the sounds of chains rattling and a light emerge from the bottom of the gate. Even with my nervous state, curiosity seemed to wash over my as I leaned over a bit too get a first glance of the outside world but couldn't catch anymore than fields of grass outside. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. I quickly repositioned myself on my horse before I was caught messing around and yelled at by Keith or Flagon once again for misconduct. Repositioning myself, I slightly dug my feet into the stirrup and lifted my self up a bit before shifting about so I felt a little more comfortable on the rough saddle.

"Today, we take another step forward! Show me the results of your training! Show them the strength of humanity!" 

I heard battle screams rip through the air around me as soldiers lifted their fists and swords up towards the sky. I sat unmoved as the commotion around me continued. Turning to my left I saw Levi, Farlan and Isabel who I nodded to giving them a confirmation that I was good and ready to go. They did the same and we then turned to face the gate as the commotion around us ceased.

"We will now begin the 23rd expedition beyond the walls! Onward!" Commander Keith's voice was louder than usual as he announced the fundamental sayings before every expedition and if he were just a bit smarter he would know that he needed to fix his tone. The tone of a leader is important, you must not show fear in moments like these, and yet--his tone was filled with fear rather than that of courage. 

He then tugged the reins of the horse, rearing before it began racing out towards the gate. Soldiers ahead of us quickly followed and we did too when the time came, rearing up our horses and then taking off towards the outside world.

It didn't take long before I entered the shadow of the gate and the world went dark for a few seconds as the wind died down. It was a lot longer of a tunnel that I expected...Briefly, I looked up and saw the dark ceiling, which reminded me of the underground. Faintly, what seemed like a hallucination of the underground ceiling overshadowed the tunnel I gazed at the top of the gate before a huge rush of light and wind rush into my face, blinding my eyes and causing me to squint as avert my gaze to the right. I allowed my eyes to adjust and after, I lifted my head to finally meet at the endless, blue sky above me. It was different than seeing it from inside the walls. When I stood here, it really did look infinite. The beautiful clouds hanging, the sun kissing my skin, and the breeze that carried my hair along with the wind was something I could get used to.

I then heard the sound of a bird cry and a gasp escaped Isabel's mouth as both of our attention was drawn to the flock of birds that hovered over the sky.

"Amazing!!" Isabel screamed as a slight blush hit her cheeks.

"Beautiful..." I exclaimed after as we both exchanged cheeky smiles.