-20 Days Left- (This takes place on the same day as the previous chapter)
Levi just walked into the eating hall and chased the entire squad out which caused a few commotions. However, none of the cadets could do anything anyways. Afterall, he is the Captain and everyone is too scared of him.
"I didn't realized we had to go to this stage." Levi whispered under his breath as we walked out of the main building to walk to the high-ranking officers building. No one replied him but he continued to mutter words under his breath. Whether he is complaining or not, I had no idea.
All I had in my head was the blood,the twisted limbs,the liveless eyes that stares into space, the dead body. And the hideous mark that was carved onto his palm. He didn't deserve to bear that mark. No one deserved it than myself.
We walked up,finally reaching the top most floor of the building where the Commander stood, his back leaning against the wall as he whispered harshly to Mike. Erwin stopped talking immediately when he noticed the crowd that formed at the door.
His blue eyes met Mike's and he gave him a nod. Something about that nod made me scared. Mike turned to look at the crowd and when his eyes met mine, he looked at me suspiciously. Jesus Christ. Thank god, he left.
Erwin didn't say a word and unlocked the door. He pushed open the door and motioned all of us to walk in. "This is a room specially made for all of you." Erwin let all of us examined the room.
At the middle of the room is a giant mat,and chances are that it is used for fighting. At the left is a few dummies and a few shooting boards. On the right is 4 punching bags. Beside the punching bags,are a selection of weapons.
They must have spend a fortune on this room.
"Because all of you would be fighting against humans, not titans. A different approach of training has to be used. I hope all of you would use this room well." Erwin said as he turned to look at us. "We will be teaching you different types of fighting. Of course, Levi will be your main instructor." He continued,gesturing to the different types of weapon at the left.
"By all means,try to help each other. Some of you have incredible abilities. And of course,experience." When he said the last word, I could feel his stare on me. God,please dont look at me.
"Yes Sir!" Everyone replied,.
"Let's get started,shall we?" Levi motioned to the giant mat in the middle.
_xx_
-17 days left-
"Um,excuse me?" a voice snapped me out from my daydreaming. I didn't say a word to the person,knowing that it'll come out rude but I just nodded my head,acknowledging his presence. "Are you Celestia?" he asked, which I nodded to. He quietly passed me an envelope with a familiar handwriting on it.
"Thanks." I muttered before he ran away to probably deliver some other letters that I could see that was poking out of his letter bag. Poor guy. If I'm not wrong, he belongs to the admin sector. I let out a deep breath,bracing myself before opening the letter.
I took out the letter written by Hanni first,leaving the letter written by Levi to be read later. (Because I needed more confidence to read what Levi wrote.)
I've already heard about the murder and you didn't even have to tell me. Word does spread pretty fast,huh? Rumors say that he commited suicide because of jealously or shit like that. That's pretty unlikely if you ask me. It has something got to do with the Underground,am I right?
Anyways, I've been keeping an eye on the Underground for you these few days. Apparently, everyone is feeling restless for some reason that nobody knows. Like all of them know something bad is going to happen.
Be on your guard,hun.
P.S : If it makes you calmer, I'm currently searching for connections. The vibes tell me we need them soon.
-Hanni
I reread the letters a few more times,especially the parts concerning the underground. The memory of the Underground getting restless seems blurry to me. All I could remember that everyone was ten times more careful and just basically that.
I started to read Levi's letter after carefully folding the letter and keeping it into my pocket. I'll have to remember to put all of these letters in the box. We can't have anyone reading these papers,can we?
It has been a long time since you last written,Alexandria. You’re making me worried as fuck. The word must have spread that a murder took place 3 days ago and I’m not surprised if it has reached your ears.
I feel like.. I know something is about to happen but I can’t put a finger on it. How’s your studies coming up? You have not written anything about it or your experiences. And it’s getting me very suspicious. What the heck are you doing right now,Alexandria?
Anyways,that’s not the point of this letter. I’m just asking you to meet me at Trost next week or the earliest you can. I’m demanding to meet you,Alexandria. It’s not that I dont trust you when you said you’re travelling to different towns. It’s just that the Underground is going through some sort of frenzy. (My instincts are tingling). And did I tell you about the threats.. letters I’ve been receiving? Just to make the long story short, they are after the Survey Corps (or me) for some reason. And I know you would be involved in it sooner or later and it would be too dangerous for you. Reply me as soon as you can. -Levi
"Oh shit." I smacked my forehead after reading the last paragraph. I reread the letter again and let out a string of curse words. (I was right that day, he took a lot of effort in writing this,considering the fact he cancelled out a lot of words). "How am I going to.." I whispered. Great, he wants to fucking meet me now. And I can't.
It'll be like. "Hi Heichou. I'm your sister. I know it seems shocking. But I'm your sister. I mean look! It's the necklace you gave me when I was younger." I can't do that, he would probably die from shock after kicking my ass.
I quickly folded the letter and stuffed it into my pocket,which made me cringe when I heard the sound of it being crushed (I'm gonna regret it later) when I heard footsteps. "Celestia?" Christa tugged on my sleeve. "We should head to training now. Break's over." she smiled,and pulled me out of my siting position,knowing that I'm too lazy to move.
I smiled at her,appreciating that action. Knowing that I'm walking to training now,makes me want to lay on the floor and whine. For the past 3 days, we have been running rounds and physical training. God knows why but we have to do it. Then,we sparred with each other. It sounds like the normal training we have but it feels like it's three times more difficult.
"Back to hell." I groaned,ruffling my hair as I dragged my legs into the room. "Think of it differently, it'll make it more bearable." Christa nervously chuckled as she straightened out my hair with her fingertips. I looked up at her with my tired eyes and shook my head side to side.
"Back to business,brats. This time would be different." Levi knocked on the open door as he walked in with confident strides. Different? How so? I cocked my head to the side,curious on what is happening. "We are going to try using those weapons at that shelve. Maybe try something you have not used before." he pointed to the shelve which held a lot of dangerous objects.
"I'm sure all of you have used guns before but your aiming would be shit since we rarely use them." Levi thought for a while while rubbing his chin. "Alright. We are doing guns first for today." Levi shrugged and walked to the shelve and tossed all of us one gun. He grabbed a bag of bullets and walked to the aiming boards.
"So other than killing another, what are the others uses of a gun." Levi tapped the gun on his palm lightly, his grey eyes scanning all of us as he waited for an answer. "To slow them down. Like a bullet to the leg." Armin was the first one to reply. That's true but it takes a shit load of practice to shoot a moving person. I dont even think I can do that properly now.
"Yes.." Levi nodded. "In the streets, a shot of a gun is considered as a warning." my brother shrugged, as he took out a bag of bullets from his pocket"If you happen to encounter someone and he has you on gun point. And he shoots but the bullet misses you.." he took out a few shiny looking bullets. "You're fucked. For all you know, he might be currently plotting your death. And he wouldn't mind putting a bullet into your head." my brother's words sounded icy cold as he slipped a few bullets into the compartment.
"Now,remember that little knowledge. You'll know it sooner or later." he said as he threw the bag of bullets to Sasha. "Now..I'm sure all of you know how to use a gun right? So aim it." he turned to the aiming board and shot all of his bullets. None of them went out of the inner circles, making everyone's mouth drop.
Yep. He's good with knives and guns. I'm sure of that.
"I almost forgot.." he tapped the gun as I looked up while filling the bullets into the compartment. "Try to use a pistol, not a fucking rifle when you're on the streets. That's fucking stupid." I clicked the gun into place and flipped the safety. "And, dont waste any bullets."
Honestly,I am able to use a gun but it's not exactly my strength. Hanni is much more efficent in using guns. Levi also didn't have the time to teach me how to use a gun so I ended up picking up a gun at Uncle Grimm's place. He freaked out and snatched it away from me,stating..
"Don't touch that,Alexandria. Youre like 11 for God's sake." he shook his head,keeping the gun away. "But I'm an 11 year old who uses knives." I pouted,tugging on his shirt. "Knives and guns are a different thing altogether." he held my wrist and walked me out of the room.
"Brother did not have the time to teach me..he just left.." I said, with my eyes down-casted. This made the male stop at his tracks when he noticed my mood. "He didn't just left. If it makes you happy, I'll teach you one day." he said,picking me up into his arms.
"Really!? So you're gonna be my second brother now!?" I smiled,delighted with his idea. He frowned. "Not exactly brother. More like an uncle." he said,opening a half opened door with his hip. "Uncle Grimm?" I tested the two words on my tongue. "That sounds better." he chimed.
"Focus,Akeldama. One of your bullets went off target.!" Levi smacked the back of my head and walked to Sasha and did the same thing. "You too!". I turned to the right to look at him shaking his head when he looked at the board. "You better be fucking with me.." he said softly.
"All of you, push up position, down!" he shouted. Everyone jumped up and immediately went to position. "Take this seriously,all of you. Hanji and I didn't went down to the Underground to get these bullets for all of you to waste them." Underground? The bullets that are made in the Underground are much more cheaper and much more..I can't seem to come up with the word..useful..?
"30 push up,carry on,brats!"
_xx_
"Dinner!" Sasha squealed and dragged Connie out of the room with her. I stayed behind as the rest rushed to the dining hall. "I'm too tired for this." I muttered and just fell onto the mat,hoping my aching bones would fuck off. After that 30 push ups, we continued with sparring and phsyical training.
"Why so many physical trainings.." I whined,forgetting the fact that Levi was in the room. "Any problem with that,Celestia?" he narrowed his grey eyes at me which made me shake my head immediately. "No."
I felt a question building up at the back of my throat and slowly it was at the tip of my tongue. Should I..or should I not? I can't take it anymore. "Hey,Heichou.." I looked up,and proceeded to tie my hair into a bun. "What?" he asked, as I looked at him clear up the room.
"If all of them were to go on the streets, would they survive?" I mumbled. I was afraid of the answer but I so desperately wanted to hear it from his mouth. Maybe it was because I needed reassurance or it's just that..hearing something like that from my brother is able to comfort me.
"There is a chance that they would survive. It's only that..the people in the Underground thinks differently. And act differently." Levi turned to look at me and leaned against the wall. "I can't change the way they think in just a few days, can I?" he shook his head,and crossed his arms. A silence fell on us like a blanket.
"You're affected by it." he suddenly said out of the blue. "Affected by what?" I asked,not getting the question. "The murder." he said it so easily that it made me want to..punch him in the face. I mean, he's probably used to death by now. "I.." I clenched my teeth,wanting to reply but no words came into mind. "And I thought you are used to it by now..But I'll admit. It's pretty sad." he shrugged,showing that he doesn't really care but his eyes told a different story.
"It's disgusting on how they do their jobs." he laid his head on the wall,shaking his head. "I hate how things work down there but it's pretty amazing yet sinister." he thought for a while before saying that.
"Have you encountered them before?" I asked. Levi looked like he has seen this before and wasn't surprised. He must have cross paths with them at least once. Afterall ,he was a pretty well-known thug when I was younger. I mean, he still is. He left quite a mark on the society in the Underground. People are pretty mindfucked when they found he joined the army. They couldn't imagine a person like him joining something that follows the chain of command. Frankly,they think Levi doesn' t really give a fuck about it.
"I did..it was pretty fucked up but worth it." he looked down,flipping his fringe out of his face. "I just fucking hate how they work." he scowled as he picked up the towel and put it around his neck. "They're strong but the structure of their mob is pretty much filled with flaws."
"And that's their downfall." he wiped his face with the tower and grimanced at the grim and dirt that stained the white towel.
"You had a deal with them?" I immediately regretted asking that question when I noticed his face darkened. "I.." I tried to say something but he shouted at me. "Get out!" I didn't budge until he finally reached the brim. "Get the fuck out,Akeldama! Do I have to throw you out!?"
I frozed in my position and until when I regained back my senses, I ran out of the room as the tears threatened to fall down my cheeks. Fuck, I asked a terrible topic to begin with. He was being considerable nice but I played my cards wrongly. Hell, what did he do those years? He's keeping something from me and I know it isn't good.
_xx_
(3rd POV)
Unknown to Celestia who just ran out without noticing her surrondings, a blonde male stepped into the room and leaned against the threshold. His eyebrows raised in question and he shook his head.
"What,Erwin?" the agitated male glared at Erwin who just walked into the room,acting like what just happened didn't happen at all. Erwin walked to the corner of the room and dragged two chairs to the middle,right in front of the mat and motioned for Levi to sit. The Captain took his sit without complaining.
"That was..interesting." Erwin smiled,trying to lighten the mood but he just received a scowl from his righthand man. "Interesting,my ass." Levi rolled his eyes and closed his eyes as he put his head back. "You have never treat a cadet like this before,Levi." Erwin was amused. He rarely saw Levi treating a cadet this manner.
"What are you trying to imply,Erwin? If you're trying to say that I have feelings for that brat, you deserved to get kick in the face." Levi remembered about the time he kicked Eren in the face during the court case a few months back. He guessed he went too far but it had to be done anyway.
"Levi." Erwin started to got slightly impatient. "She isn't what she seem to be,okay,Erwin?" Levi opened his eyes and looked into the Commander's eyes. "She's hiding something. And my gut feeling is all fucking messed up because of her." Levi spat,obviously not happy with what was happening.
Erwin chuckled at Levi's agitated confession. "I already told you,Levi. I heard about her in the streets and she seemed pretty well-known for her skills. Why not enlist her?" Instead of agreeing with Erwin,Levi just rolled his eyes. "The cons are that we have no idea what was before that time period." Erwin shrugged. He didn't really mind Celestia's past. It's just exactly the same as Levi. Hell,Erwin doesn't even know 1 quarter of Levi's past.
"Admit it,Levi. She is better compared to the others." Erwin wanted to at least hear a 'yes' from him. "She isn't like Mikasa Ackerman. What's holding Mikasa back is her weakness,Eren." Levi thought about back then during the last expedition. Then,shook his head.
"But I'll have to say,something is distracting Celestia from reaching her full potential." Erwin drummed his fingers against his thigh. "She has a weakness too but I can't pinpoint it." Erwin scratched the back of his neck.
"Everyone has a weakness, a soft spot." Levi mumbled,shaking his head. "Even Humanity's Strongest." Erwin smirked, when he saw the discontent on Levi's face.
Levi felt like that title was a burden.(However,an honor if you look at it in a different perspective). He could basically feel the weight of Humanity on his shoulders. His very own existence was possibly the reason why the deaths have slightly decreased when the Survey Corps are out for expeditions. Of course, you have to credit Erwin for being a step ahead of everyone.
"Do you want to know why I stopped contacting Alexandria?" Levi's voice was softer this time round,not wanting any eavesdropper to catch onto their conversation. "You don't have to tell me if you're not read,Levi." Erwin shook his head,not wanting to stress Levi out.
"Oh shut the fuck up,Blondie. Just listen up before I change my mind." Levi groaned,rubbing his face. "You're impossible,Levi." Erwin shook his head. "Can I start now?" The captain glared. "Who's stopping you?" Erwin resisted a smirk,knowing that he has pissed Levi off.
_xx_
Hihi!
There's probably gonna be a slight romance later on in the story but I'll only say this. I'm so sorry for all those people who probably ships Alexandria with any of the characters! In order for the plot to make sense in a way, it's gonna be a character I created!