AN: This story is labeled as mature with a reason that'll be seen in this chapter. I'll make a warning when it starts and ends in case you don't want to read gore. I don't know if it's too graphic because it's different when you read and when you write. Enjoy regardless!

"I just wanted to save those children... from their awful destiny," Zeke said weakly while cold rain was falling from dark skies and onto his pained body. "You can't understand."

"I see your legs are growing back," said Levi as he drew his blades, ready to cut Zeke again. Zeke was in terror when he saw what's coming and made his final decision.

"WATCH ME MR. XAVIER!" he shouted on top of his lungs and yanked his head sharply. It caused a wire around his neck to pull out a thunder spear that was stuck in his stomach.

The next thing Levi knew was the sense of terror and fear. He hasn't even had the time to move and in a few seconds, he was sent flying by a huge explosion that destroyed the cart and parted Zeke in two.

***

"You'll take us to the place where Zeke is," said Floch while holding his gun against Hanji's temple, "or we're going to hurt some people."

Hanji hated the situation she was in. They did everything to not end like this, but they were outsmarted. Shadis is still recovering from trainees' beating. He had bruises all over with broken arm and three ribs. One thing she couldn't understand was Floch's behaviour. He was a frightened soldier who survived The Battle for Shinganshina with the skin on a teeth and was against Eren. Now he's against whole Survey Corps and without respect for veterans. Just what is inside his mind?

"Under one task. When we arrive there, you won't hurt anyone."

Floch frowned and thought for a moment. "Fine. But if you try to fool us, the first death man will be Captain Levi."

"You wouldn't dare to do it. Besides, even if you try it, Levi won't be killed that easily."

"Oh I would. I'll personaly make a hole in his head if you try to fool us," Floch answered. "But I'll keep my word and they'll be without a scratch."

"Better for you if it turns out as you say," Hanji added before climbing on the horse, hiding her angered face. Yeagerists did the same and they proceeded their way towards The Forest of Giant Trees, without a clue what the'll find on the way.

***

AN: WARNING! It starts now.

"GAAAAAHHH!"

Levi gritted his teeth in pain as he held his bleeding side.

"UUGHH!"

Horrible. One word that could describe it all. It felt like million needles were piercing every nerve in his body. Everything hurted. He tried to move his legs, but every movement caused pain. Every muscle in his body was like paralized, maybe due to his fall. The cracking sound of his spine when he fell of his back was still echoing in his ears.

"Go... to hell... Zeke..."

He wrapped his fingers around large piece of broken plunk which was stuck deep in his flesh, just under his ribcage. He lied in a puddle of blood, disgusting and crimson red. The rain was still pouring, but it didn't help washing blood off of his face and uniform.

The first time in his life, Levi felt defeated. He was helpless and weak.
Not here. Not now. Just not now. They needed him. He still needs to fullfil his promise. He needs to kill Zeke. He needs to know if Eren is with Zeke's sick plan. Euthanasia. He heard right. He needs to know what will happen to them. He needs... He doesn't want to die.

"No... please! I need to stay alive. For them!" he shouted the last part and tried to remove the plunk from his body but froze when he realized that plunk wasn't stuck - he was compacted on it. His eyes widened in shock when he realized that piece of wood made a hole in his abdomen. A sudden feeling of disgust and panic made him want to puke, but he threw up blood instead. It flew from his mouth and down his jaw. The warmth of red liquid against his cold skin made him shiver.

No, no, no! I refuse to end like this!

It took all of his self will and the last athoms of his streight to try and lift his body. He used his left elbow as support and was just about to do the same with his right, but realized he couldn't. He hasn't even felt the pain. He isn't sure when or how that happened, but it didn't matter anymore.

Levi reached behing his back and grabbed the backside of the plunk. Then, he sharply ached his back and when plunk was completly out of his body, he let go of it and fell to his side. He gritted his teeth in the pain he's never felt before. Blood was coming from his nose too, making it difficult to breathe.

"My hand... I can't feel it."

He didn't need to look down to know that he lost his right arm, but he glanced still. He was now face to face with an ugly wound, the well of a bloody river. Red and pure water mixed themselves by the river that was hitting its edges violently. The tragedy of this raging storm hasn't even started.

"Disgusting."

AN: It's over now. The only important information is that Levi lost his right hand and broke his back. He's maybe dying.

Back to minutes ago, Levi was confident and cold as ice. He was ready to bring Zeke to Historia and make her eat him. Her child isn't born yet, but it didn't matter. Not anymore. He was ready even to force her and to risk loosing that baby's life. In this situation, everything needs to be done for protecting their people. Even something as cruel as that. His sadistical side was not satisfied by cutting Zeke's legs. He wanted him to suffer. The way they suffered and the more voilent way than suffered his, now dead comrades that he killed, all 30 of them. How many people he killed exactly? In the Underground, he couldn't count them. In Titan's shape, even more. And now those 30 were on his list.

More than 100... I'm a murderer. I knew it all along.

But right as he said to Historia four years ago and to others who were there when he forced her to become the Queen, he choose the hell of killing humans instead of hell of being eaten. He was raised like that and he never regreted it. Will you have a bread on your table today? Or will you be able to get a peaceful sleep?

Don't die. Survive.

But for who now?

For what? Who am I fighting for? Levi thought. In this moment, when he can die every minute, every memory was running in his head and coming to him. It was drowning him more than this pain was killing him. He felt an ache in his throat and his chest tightened.

All this time, I fought for someone else. For freedom and for humanity. He smiled and closed his eyes. Humanity... How apsurd it sounds now when we know we're not alone. We're enemies of the world. Eldians. No wonder how much King feared us, the Ackermans. He thought he'll make Peradise here, with people isolated and brainwashed. How couldn't he be smarter? We knew everything, yet it didn't help anything. No one told me and no one told Mikasa. It was pointless masacre. What have you died for, our ancestors? For freedom, family, for knowledge that will be forgotten one way or another? For us? For Mikasa and me? For killing machines that can't rule or lead their people to the right way? Are we more than that? Have you thought that your children will be smarter and better than you? Enought to repay for everything and to do something great for Eldian people? Were you surviving for future generations with empty hope in your hearts and minds? Can you see us now? Can you see what you were fighting for?

He runned his fingers over his open wound and flinched.

Father wait! 

This is not the right place or right time to tell him.

Nevermind. It's nothing.

No.

Why haven't I told you? I wanted to tell you how much you mean to me. How much I'm grateful to have you by my side. How much I love you.

Tears runned down Levi's cheeks and mixed with his blood. He always blames himself for everything. For not being there to save his friends, his love. For acting tought and calm, ending up not telling his father how much he loved him. If only he knew that that would be their last time together. Last time for them to see eachother.

Blessed was that day when we reunited for the first time.

Though I still feel embarrassed for crying shamelessly in front of all that people. Levi thought with a smile. How could he ever forget that?

One year ago:

"I've already told you, Hange. I must see him again."

"But you don't even know who he is. How can you be so sure that you saw him somewhere?"

"I just know. Something..."

"Something?"

"Something is telling me to go. I can't explain that, but I have a strong feeling about him," Levi responded, looking left and right in hope to see that man.

"You've been like this for an entire week. Sometimes you would just stare into blank space and you haven't listened what Historia's been saying."

"I know, right," he said and glared at her. Hanji raised her hands in defence manner.

"I'm just saying. If you need to talk to him, it's ok. I just think that you are too tense. Relax, we'll find him, you shouldn't worry."

Levi didn't say anything to that. They just continued walking in silence, searching for the right man.

.

.

.

"Nothing..." Levi sighed. It was almost a sunset and they haven't found him yet. The sky was still mostly blue with a little orange mixing with it.

"We still have time untill sunset. If not, we'll come tomorrow."

"It's pointless, Hanji. I don't know why I've even tried to. Let's go," he said and turned to leave.

"Levi! Don't lose hope, there's still a high chanse that we'll find him. We were at his home and he wasn't there. He probbably went out somewhere and maybe he's already back," she stated when she stood in front of Levi.

Levi didn't say anything, so he brought his hand to his chest instead. Something that was under his shirt was now between his fingers, only a layer of cloth separating an item from people's eyes.

"What is it?"

Hanji's question snapped Levi out of his thoughts and caught him off guard.

"Nothing," he answered.

.

.

.

If only they knew they're going to meet again.

"I can't believe I agreeded on this," said Levi.

"At least you can't think what might be if you've done different," answered Hanji. Levi sighed. As much as he hated to admit it, she was right.

"...Thank you."

"No problem!" Hanji smiled.

About 50 steps ahead, a group of five men was approaching them. 40. 30. 20. 10...

"I'm sure I'll drink more than you, Barner!" said one.

"Keep telling yourself that, we'll see it soon."

The man who was at the back of the group didn't know why he looked up, but something urged him to do so. The same was for Levi. He raised his head too and their eyes met.

Both of them felt something in that moment than couldn't be explained. They were passing by eachother but without breaking the eye contact. Eyes wide and without blinking, they stopped at the same time. Just a few meters separating them.

"What do you think Daniel?" said the first one. He turned his head to look at him, but stopped immediately.

"What is it?" asked other but when he saw the same thing that his friend saw, he stopped too. The same was for others. No one dared to move or say something. Hanji was in the same state as Daniel's companions were.

The street wasn't small but wasn't that big either for people to not recongize one specific man. Most of them focused their attention on Daniel and Levi who just stood like that. They started whispering a little which was the only sound that could be heard.

"Isn't is that man you were talking me about? The one from mountain?"

"Yes. Daniel. He doesn't even know who he's staring at. "

"What's happening?"

After a few moments, Levi and Daniel closed the gap between them and only about 20cm was separating them. They still looked at eachother and both of them noticed how they had the same eye shape, same color, just the different shade. Daniel wore black pants with black boots, white buttom-up shirt with brown waistcoat, while Levi was in his Survey Corps green coat. Levi was the first one who spoke.

"I... saw you somewhere."

"...Where?" Daniel asked.

"I don't know. I saw you... not too long ago and... I need to know," answered Levi and locked his gaze on Daniel completly, not caring if people were staring.

Daniel's eyes widened when he examined Levi's face better. That nose, that face shape, cheek-bones, forehead. It's the same. Same. No, that can't be. How?!

Daniel raised his slightly shaking hand and put it on Levi's cheek. Levi didn't know why he hasn't flinched at the contact or snapped his hand away. But that touch... made him remember his mother that he loved so much. He didn't know why, but that touch was so familiar.

"Those eyes..." he whispered and slightly traced his thumb under Levi's eye.

Levi's chest tightened and he felt something inside him that made his stomach turn in a knot.

People that were watching were pretty stunned with the scene. Many thoughts popped up in their heads but neither of them wanted to say it out loud.

"Tell me..." he said  and lowered his hand after a short pause , "your mother's name is..." he started and locked his eyes with Levi's piercing ones, "...Kuchel?" he said quietly, only for him to hear.

Levi opened his mouth to say something, but all words got stuck in his throat as he heard his mother's name being told by this man in front of him. He closed his mouth and swallowed, without anyone noticing.

"You... know her name," he finally managed to say.

It was like something hit Daniel with a hammer. He felt confused, lost, empty and his mind went blank. He stared at Levi with the most shocked expression. Levi was staring back with equal intensity.

"29 years ago... did some men...  attacked you two?"

Levi frowned as memories he didn't want to remember came back to him.

"...Yes..."

Levi could say the man was on the verge of tears. He on the other hand was extremly tense and it was killing him.

Daniel suddenly reached at the back of his neck and pulled a thin chain that was hung around his neck under his shirt. Instead of pendant was one half of a golden ring. Levi's eyes snapped when he recongized that ring. This time, he glared at Daniel. How in hell that ended in his arms?

"Why do you have it?" he almost growled. "Who are you?"

"They gave me this... They said they killed you two... you was 4..."

Levi's head was spinning.

He lost his wife and child 29 years ago.

They killed his beloved wife and son.

Moooom!

Hehe! Looks like this will be a good evidence.

Evidence?

Are you the one that I think you are?

DIE!

Levi!

LET HIM GO!

MOM!

They came to him to tell they killed them.

They had an evidence.

I can't imagine the pain he went through...

Hey, mister!

Why is he looking at me?

Mom, one man that I don't know was staring at me lately. He had dark brown hair and dark blue eyes. He was sad. Do you know him?

What is it?

From the one that is so dear to me.

From dad?

Mom?

You have a name, don't you?

Levi.

I never knew who my father is. My mother was... a prostitute.

I'm so sorry...

She loved you with all her heart.

She was a wonderful mother...

I loved her... so much... and now she's gone!

Don't cry Levi...

I love you.

Thank you... for everything.

Who are you?

What is this feeling...?

Levi shook his head slowly in disbelief. He noticed that in his state of flowing memories, he placed a hand on his head. Did he had a headache, he wouldn't know. Also, he felt that a lone tear escaped his left eye.

"That was... her wedding ring."

Daniel was looking at Levi with the most tender expression. Could it be? That feeling he had all this time, was that the key? This man is...

"You've lost... your wife and son 29 years ago... Was your wife... my mother?" his voice was shaking while he spoke.

Daniel placed both hands on Levi's shoulders. Tears runned down his pale face.

"Yes..."

"Then... you...are..." Levi's eyes widened when all of it became clear.

"Is that really you..." His throat became dry. "...Levi?"

"...F... Father...?" Levi managed to say due to shock he never felt before.

Daniel didn't say anything. No words were needed anymore and both of them knew that. He pulled Levi in a tight hug, not willing to let go anytime soon. More tears were flowing down his cheeks and all emotions were now seeping out, but most importatntly, he was smilling for the first time in a long while. Levi burried his face in Daniel's shoulder and gripped his shirt tightly. For the first time in his life, he was grateful that he was short. If he wasn't, people would see him crying and smilling at the same time.

"I have... a father..." he whispered through his sobs. Both of it only for his father to hear.

Daniel kissed Levi's head and carresed his hair.

"My son... I've finally found you..." he whispered.

To most, this sight was breathtaking. What an unique sight. Some that were sensitive shed many tears. Some were still shocked and confused. They've heard almost everything. Hanji was smilling. She wiped her tears away.

Present:

"And now I'm going," whispered Levi. "I'm going far away... and I'm not going back..."

He extented his only remaining hand towards the sky.

"Wait for me..."

He inhaled deeply.

"I'm sorry... I couldn't protect what was dearest to me... I'm sorry Petra... I'm sorry Erwin... I'm sorry... Farlan... and Isabell... I'm... sorry... mother..." and with that he closed his eyes and his hand fell on his chest. His fist was over his heart, like he was doing a salute.

"Goodbye... to the ones... who still..."

His heart ached and his throat went dry. His head was spinning.

"...live..."

.

.

.

Levi didn't know how long he was sleeping. One second maybe? A few hours? Days? Years? He opened his eyes and his sight was blurry at first.

"Fog?"

A thick smoke was fogging his vision. He looked left and right but it was the same in every direction.

"Where am I?"

He couldn't see what was behing this white riddel. Is that it? Is he dead? Wait! He's still in lying position. But... nothing hurts.

Levi examined the smoke better. He heard a noice coming from the right. It was weird sound. The same that kettle was making when water boiled. He glanced at his right and his eyes widened.

"What the..."

The smoke was rising from his wound. No. That wasn't smoke at all. It was...

"... A steam..."

AN: When you said you came back from the writher's block and got stuck in another one. 😒 I'm highly apologizing that you waited too long for my stories. I hope I'll update them soon.