Attack On Titan- Wings of liberty*

"All squads, deploy the long-distance scouting formation!!!" Erwin's voice rang out across the group, sharp and commanding.

The formation began to take shape, each squad member moving with practiced precision. Even Levi seemed to approve, giving a brief nod of acknowledgment. It was all going according to plan—until the rain started.

Suddenly, a torrential downpour hit, so heavy that the sound of the rain drowned out everything else. The once-steady rhythm of the squad's movements faltered, and panic began to creep in as visibility dropped to near zero.

The next sound to cut through the storm was the deafening explosion of a grenade. The blast echoed from the direction of their squad leader.

Levi's mind was racing. They had to secure the papers—that was the priority. But splitting up the team was a risky move. If they all went after the documents, the team would be left shorthanded.

He glanced at Sana, his thoughts momentarily flickering to her. She can't handle this. Not after what happened last time, he thought. She was still haunted by that battle, unable to shake the fear. Isabel and Farlan, however, could hold their own in a fight. But even if they fought, it was better if the three of them stuck together.

Levi's gaze turned hard. He knew there was no time to hesitate. They needed to act fast.

"I'm going alone," he said firmly. "You three catch up to Flagon."

He didn't wait for their response. The decision was made. There was no turning back.

Sana could barely make out what the others were saying. The storm was so loud, and the chaos around her was too much. But then, she heard it—Levi's voice, cutting through the downpour. His scream echoed in her ears, and despite herself, worry gripped her chest. She knew Levi was strong, but the sound of his distress didn't sit right with her. Why is he going alone?

He was disappearing into the mist, and she felt a sharp pang in her chest. I don't want him to go. I want him to stay with us.

But there was no time to dwell on that. They had a mission to complete, and the squad leader, along with Sairam, was ahead of them.

I have to protect them, she thought, her resolve hardening. This is the only chance I have to change things. To make it right.

As they reached the others, she steeled herself. She was ready to fight.

"Where's Levi?" someone asked.

Before anyone could answer, titans appeared—five of them. It was chaos. The roar of the titans echoed in the air, and Sana's heart pounded in her chest. She had to focus. She had to protect the others.

She darted forward, targeting the nearest titan, slicing through its nape with practiced precision. To her surprise, strength surged through her limbs, more than she thought she had. The titan fell, its body crumpling to the ground.

But then, everything started to go wrong.

Farlan slipped. Isabel leapt to save him, but her timing was off. She missed her mark. Before Sana could react, the worst happened. A titan lunged at Isabel, devouring her in one swift motion.

Sana froze for a second, her mind unable to process what had just happened. No. Not Isabel. Not like this.

Her body moved before her mind could catch up. She rushed toward the titan that had eaten Isabel, fury coursing through her veins. But as she reached for her 3-D gear, her equipment malfunctioned, and she stumbled.

No, no, no, she thought, panicking. But before she could regain her footing, Farlan was snatched up by another titan.

Sana's breath caught in her throat as she watched helplessly. She sprinted forward, trying to reach his nape, but the pressure in her chest grew unbearable. The titan's grip was crushing.

Then, the world seemed to stop. She felt herself being lifted into the air, her body caught in the titan's jaws. This is it, she thought, accepting the inevitable. She was going to die here, useless, just like everyone else.

She closed her eyes, waiting for the end. But then, she heard something—Levi's voice, distant but unmistakable. Levi?

The titan's grip loosened, and Sana was dropped to the ground. She looked up, barely able to comprehend what was happening. Levi had cut off the titan's nape, killing it in one swift motion.

Her eyes welled with tears, and she cried out, "I wish I could get another chance…"

But then, everything changed. Time seemed to slow, and suddenly, she saw Farlan and Levi arguing, their voices muted in the chaos. What is happening?

Levi was leaving again. No. Not again. Please, don't go.

Sana's heart pounded in her chest, a desperate ache filling her chest. "Levi, please... please don't go," she whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

Levi stopped. For the first time, he stopped, and he looked back at her.

Sana dismounted her horse, her knees hitting the ground. She couldn't hold it in any longer. She bowed her head, her voice breaking as she spoke. "I know I've lost the right to ask you for anything. But please... please forgive me. I didn't mean what I said. I didn't mean to hurt you. Please... forgive me for those terrible words."

Her breath caught in her throat, but she continued, her voice soft and filled with regret. "I never meant to hurt you. I just... I don't know why, but when you talk about me in relation to someone else... I lose my cool. It hurts. I hate seeing you sad. I can't stand it when you're in pain. When you're not around, I feel empty."

She paused, her heart racing in her chest. "I just want us all to join the scouts... to live a life where none of us have to hide. A life where we can live together on the surface, without fear. I don't want you to do anything bad when you're so good at heart."

Levi was silent for a long moment. Then, with a single, fluid motion, he jumped off his horse and came to her. He grasped her arms firmly, locking eyes with her.

"So you don't want me to do this?" he asked, his voice low. "Alright, I won't. I'll do as you say. Now, get up, and let's head to the squad leader."

Sana looked up at him, feeling a strange sense of relief wash over her. For the first time in what felt like forever, things felt like they might be alright.

Why is it so hard to refuse her? Levi thought as they rode together toward the squad leader. His mind was still spinning. What was she saying? When I leave her, she feels empty? Does she want me to be the one she's connected to?

His chest tightened at the thought, but he immediately pushed it away. No. She can't like me like that. She doesn't think about me in that way. She just—

He stopped himself. I'm overthinking it.

Still, as they rode back toward the group, he couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed. He wasn't sure what it was, but it was there.

They finally reached the battlefield where Sairam was caught in the titan's grip. Without hesitation, Levi moved, his 3-D gear deploying in a flash. He cut through the titan's arm, freeing Sairam with practiced precision.

Sana watched in awe. She had seen Levi fight before, but this... this was on another level. His strength was incomparable. It was as though the titans were nothing more than vegetables to him, effortlessly torn apart with every strike.

Everyone watched in stunned silence as he finished off the remaining titans.

"How much power does he have?" Captain Flagon murmured, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Levi finished the last titan, and without a word, he came back to the group. His face was impassive, but there was a fire in his eyes. He turned to Sana and the others, his voice gruff. "Are you all alright?"

Just then, Erwin appeared, his expression unreadable as he took in the scene before him.

Levi's actions had stunned them all, and Erwin's voice was full of awe. "You killed them all by yourself?"

Isabel, ever the enthusiastic one, answered quickly. "Yes, Aniki did all this by himself!"

Erwin looked at them, his voice firm. "Join the Scouts permanently. We need your strength, Levi. Humanity needs people like you and Sana. We can offer you citizenship within the walls. You'll have a place in society. Come with us. Let's take the world back from the Titans."

Levi didn't respond immediately, but after a moment, he gave a sharp nod. "Hn. I'll join the Scouts."

Isabel's face lit up with joy. "Me too!"

The weather had finally cleared, and it felt like a new beginning. As they all turned to head back, there was a sense of hope in the air—hope that they might actually change the world.