The orange hues of the evening sky blanketed the land as Captain Levi stood atop the massive Wall Maria, his gaze sharp and unyielding. Below him, several Titans-ranging from 3 to 9 meters tall-wandered aimlessly near the base of the wall. Their grotesque forms moved with a disturbing lack of purpose, but their presence alone was enough to make anyone uneasy. Levi's figure remained firm, the slight breeze carrying his dark cloak.
"Captain, all areas have been secured for surveillance," Petra reported, arriving by maneuver gear and landing lightly beside him. She saluted swiftly before continuing, "We've spotted a few Titans around the perimeter, but no signs of any children outside the wall." Her voice carried a hint of confusion. "If I may ask, sir... why would there even be children beyond the wall? It doesn't make sense."
Levi's expression darkened slightly, though his eyes betrayed no emotion. "No need to ask unnecessary questions," he said in his usual curt tone. "Your job is to follow orders, not to speculate."
Petra nodded, though she couldn't shake the oddness of the situation. Levi's instructions had been unusually specific.
Levi shifted his stance, his sharp gaze scanning the horizon. "If you spot the kids, secure them immediately," he ordered firmly. "At any cost, they must be caught and restrained. Use rope, and ensure there isn't a single scratch, cut, or drop of blood on them."
Petra's brows furrowed, confusion creeping into her expression. "No blood at all, sir? Even if-"
"Even if it means letting them hurt themselves," Levi interjected. His voice was firm, cutting through the evening air. "Don't let them bite their tongues or harm themselves. Search them thoroughly for hidden weapons, and don't underestimate their ability to resist. These three kids must be secured alive-no exceptions."
The weight of Levi's words hung in the air, and Petra, though still puzzled, trusted him implicitly. "Understood, Captain," she replied, saluting again before engaging her maneuver gear to head back to her assigned area.
Levi's sharp eyes followed her movement for a moment before returning to the Titans below. The unusual circumstances of this mission gnawed at him, but he kept his thoughts to himself. His focus was absolute.
"This better not turn into a damn mess," he muttered under his breath, his hand tightening on the hilt of his blade. For a moment, the stillness of the scene betrayed the brewing storm to come.
---
Inside the Carriage
"Hey…" Hanji broke the silence, her voice soft yet curious as she stared at the kitchen and its surrounding area inside the carriage. Her gaze lingered, like a child marveling at a new toy, as though she were still trying to adapt to the abilities Niikaz had demonstrated earlier.
Niikaz, a young yet composed figure, stood nearby alongside Erwin, waiting for Hanji to speak.
"Based on the timing…" Hanji's voice broke through again as she turned toward them, a serious expression on her face. "In two days, they will come, right?"
Niikaz nodded in response, her sharp, clear eyes meeting Hanji's. "Yeah. Reiner, Annie, and Bertoldt. They'll come here to break the wall."
Hanji furrowed her brows, her mind racing with thoughts. "In two days, it'll be the turning point. Whether we succeed or fail to save the people depends on how we execute this plan." She glanced at Erwin before continuing, "Am I right?"
Erwin nodded solemnly. "You're right. This mission must proceed without any mistakes. We cannot afford failure."
There was a brief silence before Hanji spoke again, her voice more introspective. "During the soul contract… it felt like I was facing myself. For a moment, I thought I was dead. Detached. It's strange, really. It felt like I was reborn. But there was this… moment…" She paused, trying to find the right words. "It was like I was inside another body, watching everything unfold from a distance. I could see the scene, but no one could see me. It was like I wasn't really there at all."
Niikaz let her speak freely, her expression calm and unreadable. In her mind, though, she thought about Hanji's words. Of course, she'd feel strange. This world doesn't have cameras, TVs, or the idea of a viewer's perspective. Niikaz found herself musing about her life before this one. It's like trying to explain a cameraman filming a scene to someone who's never heard of one.
Erwin's voice broke through her thoughts, his tone steady and commanding. "Two days," he reminded them. "That's all we have to execute this plan perfectly. Levi is overseeing the preparations, but we need to ensure every detail is accounted for."
Niikaz straightened, determination flashing in her eyes. "We'll be ready," she said with quiet confidence.
Erwin met her gaze, his voice firm. "We must be."
---
Shiganshina District
High atop the wall of Shiganshina District, Levi stood, his green cloak billowing slightly in the wind waving scout regiment wing of freedom logo. His sharp, focused gaze swept over the barren lands beyond the wall, his stance unwavering.
Behind him, a squad member approached, saluting crisply before delivering the report. "Captain Levi, all the Titans lingering near the wall have been neutralized. The district is secure. No casualties during the operation."
Levi gave a slight nod, his face as stoic as ever. "Good. All the soldier keep watch until the next order." His voice was calm but carried an edge of authority.
"Ha! Understood!" The soldier saluted again and left, leaving Levi alone with his thoughts "That's one step of the plan completed."
His gaze lingered on the horizon, the tension in his stance betraying the weight of the mission ahead. The soldiers standing every 3 meters near to the edge of the wall with maneuver gear with the Levi at the centre.
There was no room for mistakes—not now, not ever.