Chapter Text
“A monster?”
Levi looked at Erwin confusedly. He raised an eyebrow at the taller man, gesturing to him to continue.
Erwin nodded. “A few years ago, a strange rumour surfaced,” he explained. “Seemingly a monster for its ferocious strength, its story spread from its original place; the Underground.”
Levi jerked at the name. “The Underground?” He repeated. He turned his head back at the window, glancing lazily at the scenery before him. “Why are you telling me this now?”
“ It is apparently in the form of a boy… and the description is eerily similar to the boy the two from the 104th Trainee Squad is looking for.”
“And?”
Erwin continued, “The boy apparently disappeared during the fall of Shiganshina… and he may be behind the attacks on the members of the Military Police.”
“Even if that’s the case, why are you telling this to me? ”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“ Hah?”
“I need you to find him.”
And so, Levi found himself back in the Underground after so many years. The lack of sunlight was strangely comforting but it gave him a sense of uneasiness, the darkness curling in the depth of his guts, shaking in excitement.
The Underground wasn’t a place ruled by laws. Far from it, actually. You could kill someone in the alleyways and there would be no consequences. Just as long as you’re not found by the wrong people, you’ll be fine.
For Levi, this was the place where he was born. He lived in the dark place for such a long time, he knew nothing else until he joined the Survey Scouts.
“You little shit!”
Levi paused in his thoughts. His feet stopped mid-movement and his eyes were drawn to the alleyway, towards the source of the voice. Suddenly, a body was flung from the narrow alley and hit the walls. Hard.
There were murmurs—and people began to gather. Some in distaste, and some in curiosity. Strangely enough, there were some here in anticipation.
“Pity the man.”
“Pity ‘im? Probably did sumthin’ bad to anger the monster.”
Another man came running out of the ally, freezing at the people gathering around him. He looked back in utter fear and—
Was instantly flung just like the earlier man.
The sound of whispers got larger when a hooded figure leisurely walked out and stopped in front of the two men. The hooded figure was tall—or taller than Levi, much to his displeasure—and despite the larger majority of the figure’s figure being unseen, Levi saw the hints of brown hair peeking from the hood. The figure wore simple clothes, easily forgotten, and never given a second glance. It consisted of brown pants and brown—though a shade lighter—boots. A hint of green sleeves peeked from the dark, greyish hood, and Levi was hit with just how tan the figure seemed to be for someone living underground. Though pale, the skin contrasted greatly with the greyish white tint of those living in the Underground had.
“Shat! It’s really him!” One of them hissed.
“The Monster!”
“Clear the way!”
And somehow, Levi found himself all alone on the streets with the hooded figure. Well, besides the two unconscious men, he was alone.
Levi cleared his throat. “So you’re the infamous ‘Monster’?” He idly walked forward.
The figure turned his way. “...”
“Soldiers aren’t welcomed here,” the figure finally said. He ; Levi thought if the low tone was anything to say.
Levi scoffed. “You think I don’t know? I was born and raised here. Nah, I’m looking for someone.”
The figure cocked his head. He said, “I could help you. I’m very familiar around here.”
Levi nodded. “We’re technically looking for two people—however, the information we have gives us a reason to assume that they are, indeed, the same people,” he told the figure. “We’re looking for a boy. Around fifteen in age with dark brown hair and bright green eyes.” He glanced at the figure.
He continued. “His name,” he paused for a moment. “Is Eren Yeager.”
The figure froze all of a sudden before.
“I…” the figure swallowed. He hesitated for a brief moment before shakily saying, “ I’m … I’m Eren. Eren Yeager.”
Levi raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Interesting…"