Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

FIFTY-FOUR

'Log: April 10th, year 844. The last transmission from Lord Warren Krüger dates six months back. The Krüger Tunnels exist inoperable and empty. There have been no signs of life. Complete power loss in five months, ten days, one hour, and thirty-two minutes.'

-Hephaestus Log #4213

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FIFTY-FOUR

Wall Sina, Interior, the Krüger Tunnels

"Lead the way then," Levi told Lorelai, walking beside her as she began striding towards the far wall. "Don't we have to go down all those stairs?"

"No, we have elevators here. That was just a ploy to get back at Thomsen," she winked.

They reached the far wall; Lorelai pressed her hand to a scanner, and the wall parted. It seemed those panels controlled everything in the entirety of the tunnels. Warily, Levi followed her into a metal box within the wall.

The doors closed behind them.

"Don't worry. We'll be out in a few minutes," she assured him. "Level one."

"Please present password. This is a restricted level," Hephaestus replied.

"02, 01, 815."

"Confirmed."

"...Isn't that your birth date?"

Her cheeks went pink as she looked down. "Yeah, it is." Warren still hadn't changed his password... after all these years.

The elevator began to descend, shuddering and creaking through metal and earth. Levi flinched, trying to stay calm and trust Lorelai knew what she was doing. Such was easier said than done when he understood nothing around him.

Eventually, he grew accustomed to the movement and relaxed, leaning against the wall.

The two of them were still soaked through from the freezing water in the tunnel. Lorelai didn't seem bothered, or maybe her thoughts were just elsewhere, but Levi's hands were like ice. He blew his warm breath against them in an attempt to regain some body heat.

"Hephaestus, do me a favour and up the heating by a few degrees," said Lorelai suddenly.

"Confirmed." As if by magic, the elevator immediately became much warmer. Had she really just turned up the heating for him?

Lorelai raised an eyebrow. "Better, sweetheart?"

He chuckled a little. "Much, thank you."

She smiled back before looking down, her thoughts distracting her once again.

"Hey," Levi prompted. "Are you alright?"

She breathed out shakily, watching the numbers steadily decrease on the wall as they descend. "Nervous."

He frowned. "You don't have to put yourself through this, Lorelai. We could just go straight to the bombs."

"No," she retorted. "No, I owe it to any survivors. Besides... I want to face him. Face... whatever he left behind. Perhaps then I can leave this pain to rest."

"I understand."

The elevator came to a halt, and the doors opened to reveal an eerie dark corridor. "Level one: the personal office of Lord Warren Krüger."