A ray of sunshine that chased away all shadows.

      Levi felt bad. That's an understatement. He was fucked up as hell. Farlan was eaten by a giant. He was just moments away from being eaten. Isabelle went into the giant's jaws with him. Why did that to her? Perhaps if Levi had made a different choice, they would be alive now. Probably never to see the sun or the outside world. But they were alive. Hard. In perpetual robbery and fear for their lives. But they lived. Together with friends who were no longer friends. They were family. A real family. That's what you call people for whom you would accept the most painful death. Now Levi would have been glad to be in the giant's jaws instead of his mates. Levi blamed himself for his friends' deaths. His own self-confidence and his own damn pride. Had he not decided to go alone? Perhaps there would have been a completely different outcome now. Pain was burning a hole in his heart that was unlikely to heal anymore.       Levi lay on the wet grass near the Intelligence Corps barracks. A bottle of liquor in his hand. His head was empty. How to live on? The alcohol tasted disgusting. What else would you expect from the cheapest whiskey from a dying old pub. Levi couldn't remember the last time he'd opted for alcohol over tea. Today, however, the choice was clear. The thought of his comrades dying just didn't sit right in his head, and he didn't want to realise the full extent of it. It was easier to forget.       However, his imagination involuntarily drew the terrible episodes again and again. Levi would need more time to forget it. ***       " Le...," Isabelle began with a grimace of horror on her face while on the titan's back. And then she saw another monster in front of her ".... vi...," but as soon as the girl finished, a nasty crunch was heard from her side. The titan that appeared in front of her slammed into Isabel with its nasty face, smearing the girl's organs all over its face. Blood splattered to the sides, leaving not the first purple marks on the grass.       Upon seeing this, Farlan and Levi experienced very similar emotions. They were filled with hatred to the point of gnashing their teeth at the bastard. Levi was ready to tear and torture this monster, but Farlan was quicker in his actions and was about to attack with all his might, but the UPM, as a bad luck, broke at that very moment. And the titan was already closing its ugly hands on him.       " I can't abandon my squad! " a lieutenant appeared out of nowhere. He jumped on the titan and tried to buy at least some time, considering that every second was precious in this situation. " Find the horses! All survivors, run! " he began to give commands.       " There's another one! " Farlan tried to warn him of another titan. But it was no use. If the lieutenant hesitated for a second, he was already going into the jaws of a giant with huge teeth. It, like other titans, did not bother and ate the man alive, chewing him up with a disgusting slurping sound.       And here we go again. Another victim of the titan. How many scouts had already fallen from them? Levi didn't know, but he didn't care deeply about any of them. Except them.       " Farlan! " Levi shouted exhaustedly, tearing his voice.       Levi was doomed. Doomed to move on after his friends died right in front of him. All alone now.       Farlan was eaten by a titan. Levi didn't make it. Second time. The calm gaze of his friend before his death was embedded in Levi's memory and would not come out. The joyful moments that were only because of those two began to flash before his eyes. Their infectious laughter, which was annoying, now wanted to hear more than anything else in the world.       He would slay these things. Alone, no matter what it took. He'd chop each one up so badly his own mother wouldn't recognise him. Assuming they have one.       One. Two. Three. Four. Five. After the fifth, Levi lost count. He just wanted to kill them all. The whole world that kept them from living a happy life without adversity. A drop of sweat trickled down his temple, the tension. It must have been delicious for those things to devour his friends. But they had paid with their lives for a moment's pleasure.       Puffs of steam from the dead titans rose into the air. Levi spotted a painfully familiar redhead, only it was already lying limply on the cold ground. He wanted to scream at the top of his voice, to sob like a newborn baby, to scream so that the whole world could hear the injustice of his life. A storm was brewing inside, but only boundless sorrow and resentment appeared on his face.       Smith. It's all his fault. We need to kill the creep who sent them to certain death.       At that moment, Levi let out whatever was raging inside and lunged at Erwin, holding his blade to his throat. With each new word from Smith about the compromise and the realisation that it was just a bluff. I wanted to cut that hypocrite into little pieces.       Erwin tried to inspire Levi with his noble speeches about saving humanity and what a great contribution he could make with his talent as a warrior. He thought for a second that Farlan and Isabelle would like to see the mysteries of the outside world: the sea, the rivers of lava, the deserts. But they were gone now. It wasn't the first time Levi had been alone. But how much this loss cut at his heart, making it bleed.       Levi listened to Erwin. He didn't believe it. But he had nowhere else to go anyway. He didn't want to go back to the underground city, and the only place he could get his own corner of the surface was in the Intelligence Corps. Levi looked blankly at the plain where he had become a soldier, and continued on his way to headquarters. ***       "Why are you lying here all alone? It's about to be lights out. Go to the barracks, or you'll get a hard time from the commander," came a girl's voice.       Was she telling him that? Levi hoped not.       " Are you ignoring me? I haven't seen you before. A newcomer? " The girl was already leaning over Levi.       Her cheerful voice didn't fit with Levi's mood to be alone and grieve. Her round, soft blue eyes lowered to the bottle in the boy's hand.       " Oh, you rascal! In our workplace, unlike in the garrison, we don't drink at work! " she jokingly wagged her finger at him. " What's your name? I'm Isabelle. "       For a second, everything inside Levi turned upside down, and his eyes opened wide. Isabelle. Abruptly standing up from his seat, Levi stared at the girl, searching her for answers to the million questions in his head. He sighed heavily, lowering his gaze to the ground. No, she didn't. His Isabelle was dead.       This girl had similarities to his mate, but the looks were drastically different. Brown curly hair in the dark might have appeared red due to Levi's mental clouding or the girl's dazzling aura. Just like her. Levi mentally drew a parallel between them, noting the similarities.       " Why are you so nervous," the girl looked surprised. " Oh, sorry," she said after a second, becoming more serious. " First outing? " Those words sounded bitter, as if she shared the loss with him. She probably did. A scout, too, if you looked down at the winged emblem.       Levi nodded, sinking to the cold ground again. Isabelle sat down beside him. The sky was starry. Beautiful. A good night for couples in love and secret trysts. Or perhaps for criminal endeavours?       " Our mates are watching us," the girl broke the silence.       " What? "       The first thing Levi said to her. It was hard for him to speak coherently now, much less discuss philosophical topics. And no. It wasn't just the alcohol. Those couple of sips had only relaxed his brain a little. But the events of today made him bang his head against the wall and pour all sorts of rubbish into himself.       " The ones who've already left," she explained. " They're watching and hoping we can finish their job. They gave their hearts and contributed to the liberation of humanity. And we, in turn, must endeavour to do the same as they did. "       Levi thought for a moment. If he frees all those who have the same fate as him. Would he feel better? The possessions of the humans would expand, which means that the inhabitants of the underground city could move to the new free lands and forget a life of darkness, hunger, and poverty. He'll do his best. He's not an underground city thief now, but an intelligence soldier.       " You know, you can't get used to the life of a scout. Our corps has the heaviest casualties. We lose about sixty per cent of our men on every sortie. Isn't that a terrifying figure? " Isabelle looked down at the ground. " And every time we lose a comrade or a loved one. Not everyone is willing to do that."       " I don't have anyone to lose anymore."       That's the truth. Few in the Underground City were honoured to hear him speak words without a hint of falsehood.       Levi closed his eyes and ran his palm through his hair, brushing the unruly strands back. The horrible images began to form in his mind again.       " I've heard a little about you," Levi raised an eyebrow questioningly. " Mere rumours, even," Isabelle waved her hands. " I try not to pay attention to such things. Otherwise, I'll be the target of unflattering stories about me someday. "       " Unflattering stories about me? "       A sad grin appeared on Levi's face. Of course, he knew and saw all those slanted glances directed in his direction. And he understood them perfectly well. Why would noble soldiers. trained for years to become such. trust some plebeian from the underground city. He wouldn't trust himself in such a situation.       Isabel hesitated, not knowing what to say. She felt sorry for the boy. Fate had not pitied him at all. Filled his life with all the worst that could be imagined. Her eyes raced round Levi, searching for answers. His brain fidgeted, trying to find the most appropriate words.       " You don't have to make it up. I know the rumours about me. Some of them are shittier than others, and I'm the shit in them. "       " It's not that bad. All scouts are strange people. Only crazy people come here. You think anyone in their right mind would go to feed the titans? "       " What about the good thoughts of a bright future and the wings of freedom that will bring it? Are you really a pessimist? I can't tell from your verbal diarrhoea. "       " Ew," the girl grimaced. " You're so rude. I could have handed you over to a superior officer, but I'm lying here with you, knowing the risk of getting caught, and I'm trying to cheer you up, forgetting my own plans. "       " My plan was to suck on a bottle till morning, forgetting the scouts existed, at least for that time. "       " What's wrong with us? And anyway, you're a scout now! " Isabelle began to resent him.       " That Erwin Smith's mother didn't have an abortion. "       " Don't say that again, or you'll be sent to jail. He gave you a chance to get out of that horror in the underground city and become the greatest warrior of all. So take it, and let all those who slag you off be mad at your talent. "       There was silence. Isabelle looked with enthusiasm at her new acquaintance, trying to convey these feelings to him. After his answers, however, it was clear that this man would definitely be difficult. But his confidence in his role as a warrior would come in handy. Not everyone could boast such success on their first sortie. Remembering her first experience, Isabelle could only boast that she had not rushed back to the walls when she saw the first giant in the distance. But with experience, fear dimmed, giving way to confidence in her abilities. There was a reason she'd lived to be in her twenties. Very good for the Intelligence Corps.       " Well, you should be getting back," she said with a wave of her hand. " Come on, I'll walk you out. "       The scouts rose to their feet and walked leisurely toward the barracks. Isabelle whistled a jaunty tune, occasionally patting her thigh. The boy's gaze fell involuntarily on the girl beside him. No hidden meaning or message. Just studying the new person. Habit. One must always be on guard against someone unknown. Levi didn't understand why he deserved such attention to his person.       "Levi," man said, breaking the silence.       " What? "       They both stopped. Isabelle arched an eyebrow questioningly, staring at the boy. Had he dared to speak first. The girl decided that such a grand event could be quite celebrated.       " My name is Levi. "       " You're talking! " The girl cheered up. " I'll remember, Levi. I'll see you later," she waved to him, walking away from the building.       Silence. Levi remained standing there without saying a word. Interesting girl. Picked up the mood a little on this lousy day.       " Isabel," he called out to her.       The girl turned round, looking at him curiously.       " See you later," was all he said.       Isabel smiled goodbye and said goodnight.       Maybe this wasn't the end of life after all? ***       The girl slowly followed her "victim" down the corridor to get him safely to the right place. The silence was crushing. It was hard to hide her presence from someone like him. But she kept a fairly good distance from him, so it shouldn't be a problem. There was a reason she had trained so thoroughly. She had been given her first mission of responsibility. It would be unforgivable to mess up now.       "What are you doing here? " A bass voice asked. "This is actually the men's barracks."       The girl covered her mouth with her palms, almost shrieking in surprise.       " Why are you scaring me like that! " she began to swear in a whisper at the big guy. " It's already off. Actually, you need to be in your tenth dream. "       " And you need to be in another building altogether! "       " I have work to do here," the girl hissed. She was filled with frustration over a failed covert operation.       " I have a job to do here, and I'll report you to the commander right away. Or should I say to the commander? To kick you out of Intelligence. There's no telling what a girl might be doing in a man's barracks at night. Maybe you're doing some dirty business. Is this your first time here? Or are you a regular? " the man started laughing.       The girl got angry. She had never been called a lady of easy behaviour before.       " Get a load of this! " The girl kicked him in the groin with all the anger inside her.       Such arseholes were annoying as hell, and at the same time he'd ruined the operation. What a bastard. He's shouting. All the intelligence will come to his shout.       " You bitch! I'm gonna fuck you myself! " the man swung his fist right over the girl's head.       Unfortunately for him and her luckily, the blow only hit her lightly, and the girl realised it was time to get away. She didn't have any weapons with her, and she couldn't stand up to such a big guy in hand-to-hand combat. She took off and ran towards the exit, no longer hiding her presence as she had done on the way in.       Her target was literally a stone's throw away. A second later, however, she felt a deafening blow to the back of her head. Her eyes began to darken.       There's that bastard again!       As it turned out, the man had thrown a glass bottle at the back of her head. It didn't shatter on her head, but when it landed on the floor, it shattered into a hundred small pieces.       The throwing distance of the bottle was quite long, so it was probably nothing serious. But my head! My head was spinning terribly. Everything was blurred in front of her eyes. The girl realised that she couldn't get out of here on her own.       She opened the door with a jerk, tumbling out into the street. The man followed her leisurely, enjoying the state the lady was in.       That's how she turned from hunter to prey in a few minutes. The man enjoyed her condition.       The girl closed the door, falling to the ground beside it. Going any further would be impossible for her. The assignment had failed. And after all, this was her chance to prove herself! But everything, as usual, went wrong.       Someone approached her too quickly, picking her up and silently carrying the girl off in an unknown direction. She thought it was the man. It was a surprise that he didn't carry her by the scruff of the neck, but lifted her into his arms. They didn't walk long, or maybe they did. Unconscious, unfortunately, you can't tell.       Someone doused her with water. Cold.       The girl instantly opened her eyes, jumping up on the spot. Sitting before her was none other than the same kid from the underground city.        " What the hell was that? " Levi asked without a shred of sympathy or friendliness.       The girl looked around and realised they were in a stable. The hay beneath her was unpleasantly stabbing and sticking because of the water that had been poured out. She tried to peel it off, but was doing a very poor job.       " Isabel, can you hear me? " Levi asked again, staring unashamedly at her.       " Where did you come from? "       The girl frantically went over in her head the possible dialogue options. And how they would affect the development of the situation in the future.       " I'm the one who needs to ask. What were you doing in the men's barracks? "       Things were shaping up to be extremely disgusting for Isabel. Although, come to think of it.       " I took you to bed. How did you end up outside? Trespassing again? " Isabel said with absolute certainty of victory.       " I was the first to ask the question."       " I'm senior. "       " And...? "       It was the "and" that pissed Isabel off. The cheeky one just joined the scouting party and already he's insulting his superiors.       " I'll send you to the commander. He'll teach you a lesson in how to talk to your elders. "       " Lead the way. "       Isabel didn't know what to do. She wasn't going to go to the commander. She had to scare him somehow.       She sighed. She needed to calm down. It was crucial right now. She'd said too much already.       " Levi, listen to me. I have orders from above, so I can't talk about it. There's been some business at the men's barracks. I really appreciate your help. I couldn't have got out without you. How did you get out, by the way? I definitely saw you come in, but I'm pretty sure nobody went out the door. "        Levi was standing next to the girl. He could see that he didn't like this whole situation as much as possible.       " That's how it was," the girl looked carefully into the darkness. " Do you know what time it is? "       " When you went out, it was past midnight. "       " Did your mates notice you? "       " I don't know. "       Isabel sighed. He wasn't saying much. It's hard to tell with people like that.       " Okay, look. Now you're going to try to come back without anyone noticing. You're going to hide my rescue, our dialogue, and basically your whole night out. That's one," Isabelle crooked her finger. " Second. If they ask, you say you didn't see or hear anything," she curved a second finger. " It'll be easier for both of us. "       Levi frowned harder than ever. This whole situation was bizarre.       " Why would I trust you and not turn you in? "       " At the very least, if I'm doing something illegal, you could be considered an accomplice. "       " Nobody saw us. "       " At the very least. Why would they believe you over a trusted soldier? "       " We've got another witness who's definitely against you. That's a good one. "       Isabelle wasn't the least bit worried about him.       " He's not a scout. He's just a security guard, and he's new," she said sadly. " If it had been an old one, it wouldn't have been a problem. Well, he may well be considered your accomplice. And I can make up a story like that. That could get you kicked out of Intelligence. "       Levi realised she had a point. And pretending it never happened. That's a pretty good plan.       " So, what's up? Does my offer still stand? "       Levi nodded. He realised that he should avoid this girl from now on. She definitely had some dark dealings. He'd had enough of those in his life.       Isabel stood up, running a hand through her hair. She sighed dejectedly.       " Why did you have to douse me? "       Levi refrained from answering. He was about to leave.       " Levi," the girl called out to him.       He turned round. His grey eyes ran disdainfully over the wet Isabelle.       " I'm really grateful to you. And I will repay you. I'll figure out how," she looked down at him. " You shouldn't have gotten involved in this," Isabelle said and walked slowly away from Levi.       He stared at her for a few seconds and then walked towards the barracks. His mind was full of questions. On the way, Levi pondered the situation. As soon as he lay down on his bed, however, the fatigue hit him with renewed vigour and his eyes snapped shut. Not for long, but he did fall asleep.       It had been a long day.