Levi Ackerman:

Captain Levi was not a military leader. He had never been a military leader. Military leaders planned, commanded, and coordinated armies. Levi took orders. He worked in small squads miles from the top of the decision making chain. The difference between them was the difference between stones and mountains.

Yet, people commonly mistook him as the latter. Even now, gathered around the long meeting table in the palace with some of the most renowned leaders within the walls, he could see in their eyes the weight of their expectations.

Leader.

Hero.

Protector.

They regarded him with the same respect they themselves garnered. They clung to his words despite his brutal delivery. Couldn't they see him for what he was?

A simple captain.

A soldier.

"An Ackerman…" A voice in his head harangued.

His invitation to the meeting told him that even Historia, despite personally fighting in his squad, overestimated his role in her military.

Queen Historia he reminded himself.

Dressed in regal white, backlit by the sun streaming in through open curtains, she glowed in her position at the head of the table. Her golden hair flowed over her shoulders, the look in her eyes as firm as the walls.

Sitting poised and postured, it was almost hard to see the placid girl he'd known as "Krista Lens" sitting in the Queen's seat.

Almost.

Though she presented a powerful image, Levi saw her small glances around the room, never letting her eyes rest on something for more than a moment. She repeatedly clenched and unclenched her hands into fists, twiddling her fingers nervously under the table. Sitting next to Historia felt like tightrope walking in a lightning storm. She probably didn't think anyone noticed but from his vantage point sitting directly to the side of her, the electrified movements kept catching his eye.

She had a right to be nervous, he mused. Barely a week ago, these people wouldn't spare Historia the time of day. Now, despite her inexperience, they'll do whatever she tells them to. He would be intimidated too!

Levi studied the room's occupants. Nine of them in total sat around the long table, General Darius Zackly, Commanders Dot Pixis and Nile Dok, Damion Burns—the Captain of the Military Police in the Mitris District, the garrison section commander for Wall Rose, two chiefs of the Military Police from Stohess and Orvud, Historia, and himself. Erwin would normally be in his spot, but for some reason Historia had specifically requested he attend.

He wrinkled his nose, frowning. Though much had changed in the last two weeks since the uprising, he could still detect trace amounts of alcohol coming off the Military Police representatives across the table from him.

Lazy bastards.

He didn't know why he was surprised they were still slacking off. An entire kingdom overthrown and a new monarch put in place and the only consistent thing you could count on is that the Military Police would get sloppy drunk every night.

At least Nile had that going for him. Every single officer under him might be a hopeless wreck, but the man actually had one shred of dignity for himself. Although the mustache he grew almost erased that shred entirely.

Levi's eyes flicked back to General Zackly as he spoke up.

"I vote we take the nobility that continue to resist and give them...ah motivation to stop." He smiled a gleeful, almost disturbing, toothy grin.

Groans and "oh god no" echoed around the table. A look of horror and disgust spread across several faces, Historia's included. Levi's lips twitched ever so slightly upward.

"General," Captain Burns leveled a steely gaze at Zackly. "You've really been allowed a lot of leeway with your...methods. You aren't serious about continuing with it?"

"Deadly." The general met his eyes.

"Excuse me—" Historia tried to cut in.

"Come now Zackly, don't you think it's a bit soon to bring that wretched contraption out again?" Nile asked.

"Excuse—"

"Absolutely not!" Zackly said with a smile. "And I haven't heard a better idea thrown out in the hour we've been here already. You all might think it crass, but you have to admit; it's effective."

Pixis raised an eyebrow. "Effective is one word for it."

"Excuse me!" Historia cut in with a raised voice, eyes flickering between the officers. Their heads immediately turned to her outburst, and she noticeably shrunk under the gaze.

"I think we've derailed enough off of the original topic. Rerouting supplies doesn't have that much to do with nobles, like I mentioned 15 minutes ago." She gave a pointed look to Zackly who shrugged.

"Shall we move on to our next topic?"

The occupants of the table hushed as the queen shuffled through the neatly aligned papers in front of her on the table again, searching for something specific. Levi glanced at his own stack, noting their disorganized state. Aside from his initial brush through them, skimming the information thereon, he hadn't touched them for the entirety of the meeting.

He groaned internally, suddenly remembering a mountain of paperwork waiting for him back in his office.

Why am I here? He sighed internally. A list of soldiers better suited to attend the meeting numbered off in his mind, Erwin and Hanji at the top of it. If Historia wanted input on literally anything, Titans, strategies, or random scientific facts, they were the ones for the job. All Levi could offer were some organizational tips and tricks for keeping dust off surfaces.

But of course, Erwin was resting after the events of the last few weeks and Hanji was back at headquarters under medical leave. A leave required by an emphatic Moblit and himself. She'd tried to reject it, but he'd threatened to shoot her again if she didn't rest.

Historia cleared her throat, having located her desired notes.

"The children in the walls are suffering."She announced, eyes glancing downward. "Specifically the orphans. Titan attacks leave us all scrambling to regain some semblance of normality, but none more than the orphans. Many of them lose parents or siblings to the monsters. Some die of starvation because no one makes sure they are fed."

Levi peeked at the paper in her hands. Her voice was stiff and she kept glancing at the words scrawled across it hastily, like she was...reading off of it.

That poor girl. He glanced at Zackly who looked bored. The man had been talking over her almost the entire meeting, and now he had the nerve to demean her, even in that small way.

This was why Levi never gave speeches.

"As you should all know by now, I have planned an initiative to rescue and nurture all the suffering orphans within the walls." She said. "Operations for this initiative began three days ago, under the direction of Commander Dok, and have been running smoothly. "

That's a good boost to her reputation though, Levi nodded silently. The queen had announced the initiative within days of her coronation, and people were already starting to praise her name for it as though she were a deity.

"However," the Queen continued glancing up, "Despite the contribution from every branch of the military, I am disappointed to see no efforts made toward certain sections within the walls."

The leaders shared looks.

"Your majesty," Nile spoke first, his tone gentle as if he was talking to a distraught child. "I apologize, but we've delegated every city to Military Police squadrons. There wasn't a single town or village that wasn't considered."

"I agree with Commander Dok," Pixis said next. "I've personally assigned Garrison soldiers to allocate resources in rural areas as well as more populated towns. We've sent troops everywhere."

The others nodded their own agreement.

"Yes, and like I said, those efforts have been greatly appreciated." Historia said, steady. Her nervous ticks were beginning to melt away. "But it hasn't been enough."

Even Levi flicked an eyebrow up at that.

Where are you going with this?

"Commander?" She directed at Nile. "Is the underground district within the walls?"

The somewhat relaxed atmosphere vaporized in an instant. The words about to fly out of Nile's mouth shriveled and fell away.

Levi's eyes widened. You can't be serious. His heartbeat jettisoned and he grit his teeth.

The underground was not the place for the government to intervene. There was no law, no order. It was chaos and pain and dark all swirled together into a heinous scar under the capitol. Like a bouquet of poisonous thorns amidst a wedding. And Historia wanted them to be working an operation there?

All eyes regarded Nile.

Nile hesitated before answering. His voice caught awkwardly in his throat, like he was trying to describe the most gruesome details of a murder scene.

"Er—well yes. Yes it is."

"And," She paused, "are there currently people living in the underground district?"

"Yes…But your majesty—"

"Then why, pray tell, did zero consideration for the district come up in any of the drafts I saw? Why were no squadrons assigned to the city?"

The silence returned, more robust this time. It was like a thick ooze had slowly flooded the room, stifling the words that would begin to dissuade Historia from this track of thinking.

Zackly and Pixis exchanged looks. Nile clenched his teeth, looking like he wanted to say more but didn't. Levi stayed quiet, tongue tied, yet curious as to how this would play out.

"The underground," Nile began slowly at last, "Is dangerous. There are regions of it that we don't dare enter. The entire place is crawling with bandits, thieves, and worthless scum." He glanced at Levi.

Levi flicked an eyebrow up in response. "Really?"

"Furthermore," The commander hurriedly continued, looking back to Historia. "Aside from the few patrols always stationed down there, we don't run investigations or searches in the district. It would be suicidal. As it is, our outpost sends reports of frequent lootings and near deaths almost every month."

He paused, glancing at Captain Burns who nodded gravely.

"It's just too risky, your Highness."

Historia's jaw clenched.

"I see." She said calmly. "And I suppose that means we ignore them altogether?"

Nile wisely didn't answer.

Historia's eyes gave away nothing as she scanned the faces around the table. Each looked down in turn, unable to meet her eyes.

"I suppose that because we were born with an advantage that we forget about our brothers and sisters who weren't so lucky? That we abandon the humanity we just worked so hard to take and leave people, children, infants, at the mercy of a dark world where the only answers are death and poverty?"

"My life hasn't been half as hard as those who live underground, but all I knew for most of it was confusion. All I knew was that I was a burden. I was worthless. If I've been given a shot at a better life, then others deserve it too."

"As I stated previously, I intend to help all the children within the walls." She declared, pausing. "That includes the ones in the underground. And I would like the underground district to be included in the initiative."

A determination flared in her eyes, one that no one knew what to say to. The council members glanced at each other again or looked away.

Levi let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, suddenly finding his notes very interesting to stare at.

An inkling of why he'd been requested here was now very apparent.

She wants your support.

And without meaning to, Levi found himself racing through the streets of the underground again. Twelve years old and stealing from stores to stay alive. Twenty years old and running strikes against the police. Thirty years old and being recruited by Erwin.

The dirty atmosphere and constant chill of fear tasted like stale bread in his mouth. An emotion he used to know. A memory he'd forgotten.

He shut his eyes against it. He didn't want to remember. Historia was right of course. Living conditions underground were almost as bad as living outside the walls in Titan territory. Everyday was a gamble. He knew that better than anyone else around this table.

And yet...

He thought about faces he'd known in the underground. Faces he'd long since forgotten the names for. Other children who hadn't been as lucky as him. Not that he would describe his life as lucky, but when their faces disappeared off the streets they never returned.

It wasn't until long after his mother had died that he'd realized what must have happened to them.

But this…opportunity...we could change that for some of them...

Something inside of him tugged at his conscious. Like Historia said. She'd been given a second chance. For whatever reason, Levi too had been given a second chance.

But, a small voice reminded him, it wasn't his problem. He wasn't even supposed to be here. He was a soldier for god's sake.

But we could give others the same chance we got…

No! He shouldn't be making these kinds of decisions. These were life changing policies and he wasn't qualified to make them—

"I support including the underground in the operation."

All heads snapped to him.

Oh god, what am I doing?

"I'll even help oversee the inclusion." He continued, before he could talk himself out of itt. "I know the underground. I can run the operation smoothly."

Silence.

His knuckles were turning white with how tightly he was gripping the table.

"His—Queen Historia is right." He said, clearing his throat. "Humanity's borders don't end at the surface. The underground community deserves our help, and now that we stand on firm ground we can give it to them. We start with children and the young and move our way through the system."

The others stared at him. Pixis in particular wore a slight smile, his eyes twinkling. Levi, refusing to show his discomfort, turned back to Historia.

The gratitude in her eyes was brighter than the sun behind her.

Thank you, her expression said as she smiled.

I didn't do it for you, responded his sullen mind.

It was Captain Burns that spoke next.

"You know, he brings up an interesting point." He mused. Thankfully, most all the heads in the room turned to him, away from Levi

"Most people living underground were relocated after the fall of Wall Maria. With our plans to retake the wall...well I'm sure people would be happy to move home." The police captain said thoughtfully.

Levi nodded. "While that's true, those people aren't the primary objective. There are loads of unlucky brats with no homes and no homes to move back to. They would be our primary focus."

The military folk nodded. Some scrawled additional notes on their papers.

"An operation in the underground…" Burns spoke again. He brought a hand to his chin, pondering the notion. Then, he slowly began to nod, a smile spreading across his face. "I can't turn down a good challenge. And with Captain Levi down there, I would be more than willing to lend support from the Mitrias police force."

"I appreciate that Captain." Levi nodded. "But all the same, I would direct the operation from above ground—"

"From here?" Burns grinned at him with humor. "My patrols down there know the streets, sure, but you, Levi? You lived there. We'd have the upper hand. I would even go as far as to say that without you, we might as well not send anyone into the underground."

Historia tilted her head. "I'm not sure if I would agree to that extreme, but he makes a valid point Captain Levi."

Levi shifted his gaze to Burns and Nile, holding back frustration. This was why he didn't make decisions. He already lost control of the situation!

"Regardless," he said, changing the subject, "It would take some two dozen or so of your high trained soldiers. Do either of you have men to spare for that?"

"...possibly…"

"Absolutely!"

Nile and Burns' shot each other a look at their simultaneous answers, Burn's smirk and Nile's frown contradicting each other

Levi sighed. Leave it to Nile Dok, the biggest pain in his ***, to be as unhelpful as possible in any situation.

"Anyways, from there," he continued. "We can divide the city into sectors and assign groups to search them. Each group will have a directive to look for orphaned or poverty stricken children and bring them above ground. When a system gets in place, it will be a smooth operation without need for much monitoring from anyone."

Nile folded his arms, sitting back in his chair.

"It's certainly risky...but...I don't see any reason that wouldn't work." He said, narrowing his gaze at Levi.

Burns flashed Levi a subtle thumbs up, grinning as if they had just become best friends.

Levi loathed it entirely.

"Then it's settled." Historia declared. "Captain Levi will lead the operation. The troops will go underground and commence the instructions. Are there any objections?"

Levi looked at her, objection on the tip of his tongue. He didn't want to go underground. Not at all, but as he gazed at her, sitting upright and poised, no more nervous ticks distracting her, he couldn't. He would find a way out of that part of it, but he would do it discreetly. No need to rail on her confidence. Especially not publicly, like some of the others had been doing.

No one else spoke up, although they looked considerably more thoughtful and completive about the operation.

"Captain," She spoke to him, "I'll expect the operation to get underway immediately. I am assigning Commander Dok to this as well. The two of you will share equal responsibility for the operation and I expect compliance."

Nile's eyes bulged out of his skull like someone had just choked him.

"Your Highness—" He started, but was abruptly cut off by Historia.

"That will be all for the day." She concluded."I think this meeting has gone on long enough. Thank you all for your input and attendance. I'll be sending a follow up message tomorrow with directions and instructions on how to proceed with what we've discussed today."

Chairs crashed against the floor as the occupants of the table immediately began moving and standing up.

The weight of what he had just agreed to hit Levi at once, and he wanted to bury his head in his hands. This was not what he needed right now. You just gave yourself another months worth of paperwork you idiot! He chastised himself. Plus the headache of getting yourself out of actually going down there!

But suddenly a hand landed on the table beside him. Damion Burns his neatly trimmed goatee appeared, looming over him.

He was a handsome man, the kind that made a small twinge of self-consciousness shoot through Levi at being so near him. His perfectly tailored military suit hid what was obviously a well toned body. Not many military police took the time to work out and it showed. But Burns looked too clean and posh to not give a damn about maintaining a reputable look.

"I didn't mean any disrespect earlier." The police captain said, sliding into a chair at Levi's side and pulling it in close. "But I was worried you might back out if I didn't add the pressure of the council."

Levi frowned at him, pushing his own chair back slightly. "Of course not."

"I really think your support in the underground is essential to our success. However, in exchange for my offering your services, I'd like to make an offer to you as well." Burns' deep brown eyes sparkled as he spoke.

"What kind of offer?" Levi said.

"An offer of my aid. To help and assist you with anything you may need!"

"You would come underground too?"

Burns paused before answering. "Not exactly...unless you think it would help. Being your eyes and ears above ground was more of what I had in mind." He sheepishly admitted.

Levi's eyes flicked towards Nile, who was talking urgently to Historia. He still looked upset.

"But I can lend supplies, safe-houses, contacts." The police Captain continued. "You say the word and it's there."

Levi considered the offer. He didn't know Burns well enough to distrust his offer, and all he'd ever heard about the man was how much of an asset he was to the police force. He seemed genuine, which was refreshing after a day spent in politicking.

A shadow suddenly crossed his face as someone passed through the light of the window from his side. It was a man who stalked over to Burns, leaning down to whisper something in his ear, and Levi found that he could not tear his eyes away from him.

Because the man's skin was completely white. Alabaster light reflected off his bald head, and when Burns nodded and the man straightened up, Levi was ashamed to admit how horrified he was of his face.

Sunken red eyes glanced at him from gaunt features. His lips pressed together in a line so thin, Levi wildly wondered if he had a mouth at all. His military police uniform looked fresh and new, yet that only added more dissonance to his appearance.

The man reminded him of how shadows used to scare him as a child. Tall and scrawny, yet elongated features and limbs looking like they could rip him apart. Scared faces etched into permanent frowns.

He shivered in spite of himself.

"Later Zane." Burns waved a hand in the air dismissively. "It can wait."

The man nodded with a customary salute, but it looked so wrong. Like a peace treaty written with blood. He stiffly walked away and back through the door he had just entered through.

"Excuse my cousin." Burns said, twiddling with a ring on his finger. "Zane is the only family I trust these days. He just got promoted to my head chief here in Mitrias, but sometimes he forgets that business can wait."

"It's fine." Levi said, trying to forget the look in Zane's eyes. It took him a moment to remember what they had been talking about.

"I'll need to consult with Hist—the queen before I solidify my decision on your offer." He said, rising from his chair. "I'll be in touch."

And with that, he turned and left the room.

Zane was thankfully nowhere to be found in the crowded, sun-lit hallway. He did however spot Nile again on his way out and discreetly shot him a dirty look. The commander glanced his way, but Levi was already pushing through the crowd by then.

He wanted to get out. Out of the palace. Away from the people.

Especially since images from the underground pressed against him. Hunger and fear. Darkness and ice.

He would not go back. He couldn't go back. Not now. Not after learning about Kenny being his uncle. Not after the discovery that he was an Acker—

Stop! He chastised himself. Just stop, you're not going back!

He would talk Historia out of it and tell Burns he was too busy to do more than direct the operation. They could find someone else for that part of the job. It was ridiculous to think that he was the only person who could be a guide underground. You could pay any one of the low lives down there a coin and they'd lick the dust off your boots.

"Captain Levi!" A girl-ish voice behind him interrupted his thought.

He turned to see Historia, rushing towards him through the throng of people, skirts rustling between her legs. She brushed against nobles and military men alike, they in turn jumping at the sight of their new queen breezing past them. Her bodyguards, who had been waiting outside the doors, were startled by the sudden flurry of motion and also moved through the crowd to follow.

He waited for her to clumsily catch up to him, bodyguards right behind her.

"Captain," She panted, "I thought I would miss you. You left fast so fast!"

He blinked.

"Anyways, I was wondering if we could have a word in private." She gestured to a side hallway.

"Of course." He responded immediately.

"Great!" She motioned to the guards. "Leave us."

He motioned for her to lead the way, which she did. A few of the stragglers in the hallway watched them go, most however turned back to their respective conversations which died out as they ventured further down the hallway. As Historia settled on a worthy meeting spot, she turned back to him, eyes bright.

Levi stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"First of all, thank you so much Captain!" Historia bubbled over. "Thank you for listening! That council is so frustrating, and I knew they would disagree with me about the operation unless you backed me up."

She shook her hands in the air, showing her frustration, and it struck him once again just how young Historia was.

We were both asked too much at far too young an age.

"But I'll just get right to the point." Her eyes shone brightly. "I'd like to be a part of one of the squads in the underground."

What? He opened his mouth to answer, then frowned as she continued.

"And I know what you're thinking, I shouldn't go and it will be too dangerous and—"

"Yes, it's too dangerous." He cut in. "You'll get killed."

"Right, but if you'll just listen for a—"

"No."

"Captain Levi—"

"What do you have, a death wish?" He hissed at her. "How many lives did it take to put you where you are? And now you want to throw that away?"

Did all the sacrifice mean nothing to her?

With Historia gone, the nobility would rise up in rebellion against the military. Most of them had military men in their pockets anyways. The Survey Corp would be gone. Murdered. The Garrison wouldn't be in much better shape. And then what would humanity do if the Colossal or Armored Titan decided to return?

"We can't risk you on a throwaway mission to the slums." He said, steeling his eyes on hers.

The light was gone from them. A raging fire burned in their place.

"Let me speak." She said coolly.

Levi bit his tongue. She had command over him now. He took orders from her. It didn't matter what else he had to say to her.

"I didn't ask to be the queen." She jabbed a finger dangerously close to his face. "I seem to recall you and your comrades were the ones who put me here. I was happy playing soldier."

She raised a second finger at him.

"Second, there are people who need my help. I'm not going to turn my back on them."

Her eyes bored into his, fierce determination burning in them.

"And third," She faltered, arm dropping. "You know as well as I do how much good we can do for those people. We owe it to them. I owe it to them"

And there it was again, that little prick in his heart.

She's right.

He sighed.

But she has to make it out alive...which means...goddammit.

He tried to dodge around where his thoughts were pointing him, but it was blindingly obvious.

The chill returned to his spine, spreading through every nerve.

"Fine." He huffed in defeat. "But I'll only allow it on one condition."

"Yes! What is it?" She practically yelped.

He matched the intensity in her gaze. "You will be under my constant supervision, and you don't get to make the rules. It's kill or be killed down there and my job is to keep you alive. Understand?"

She nodded furiously, eyes wide.

"Good." He looked outside to the courtyard below. The sun was shining, providing an absolutely gorgeous day. Warm light bounced off the walls and he could smell the freshness of the air.

All things that would vanish in an instant upon his return to the underground.

He held back a shiver.

"I'm going to speak with Nile. Expect to plan for the operation within the next day or two."

He moved to walk away from her as she nodded again.

"And Historia?" He said.

"Yes?"

He took one last look at her, white dress, confident stance returning, wide eyes, and child-like expression of excitement.

"Don't speak a word of this to anyone else."

...----------------...

...please like and comment this story (◕ᴗ◕✿)...

Historia Riess

"...an MP, but the Scouts can't even get their heads on straight long enough to-" Nile flicked his eye up at the sound of Historia clicking the door open. The snarky twist on his lip melted into one of formal respect.

Immediately, standing in a crisp salute, Historia almost didn't hear his next words over the sound of his chair scraping backwards, "Queen Historia, it's a pleasure to see you."

Levi glowered at Nile for a beat longer before abruptly turning in his chair to face Historia. She noticed he couldn't quite conceal the irate furrow of his brow. He seemed about ready to trade blows with someone for breathing too loudly.

Did Nile suggest he was cleaning the windows wrong or something?

Historia inclined her head slightly, in greeting. Kicking the door closed, she lazily tapped over to the polished table and slid into a rigid chair across from Levi. She felt both sets of eyes transfix on her as she grinded her chair underneath the table, but didn't care in the slightest to meet them.

"Uh, at ease. No need for over formalities."

"Oh thank god." Nile said, lowering himself to his wobbling chair in the following silence.

Unsure of how to begin, the queen glanced, unobtrusive, back and forth between where Nile and Levi were seated. Wait...why were they so far apart-

Oh? Historia raised an eyebrow, incredulous.

They literally sat as distantly as they could possibly manage, but made sure they didn't have to meet each other's eyes. Nile at the head of the table, and Levi on the side at the other end. They're like children in self imposed time out.

Historia was glad she'd come in when she did. Any longer and she might have been interrupting a little more than an unfriendly repartee.

"So," Levi cleared his throat. The livid construct his face had been carrying for Nile was gone. The emotion that replaced it Historia had never seen the hardened captain wear. Nor did she recognize it.

"How is…" He trailed off.

It sounds like he's in pain, Historia thought idly, meeting his eyes. Yeah, that looks like the very definition of a painful experience…

"… are you," he finished.

There was an unfortunate moment when Historia's confused eyes met her former captains until he involuntarily snapped his eyes shut with a grimace, and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Now Historia could tell, it had been uncertainty in Levi's eyes. An expression so seldom worn by the man that Historia had barely recognized it notwithstanding how often it found a home on her own face.

I can't believe… THE Captain Levi uncertain?

Time crawled.

Nile gradually raised a hand to cover the upturn of his lips. The mustached man began silently shaking a few seconds later, pure mirth in his tearing in his eyes.

He's never going to live that down.

It was odd, really. Historia hadn't ever interacted with high ranking leadership, that is to say, leadership at all in any way that didn't end with her following commands. At least until the end of her military service. It had always simply been that they gave commands and she followed them.

Basically, the new queen was floundering in deep water when it came to engaging or communicating on the same level with the very people who used to make her clean stables without a second look.

She grinned. Just a little.

Who knew I could hold conversation better than humanities strongest.

Part of her wondered idly if Erwin, Hanji and the others ever felt the distinct, overwhelming, emphatic urge to never ever make another sound to spare themselves from embarrassment.

Historia couldn't decide whether or not she was hearing Levi whisper various expletives or Nile huffing, and snorting, just as quiet.

Well, how is are you? Don't leave him hanging!

"... Fine… I'm good, I think," Now it was Historia's turn to curse bitterly.

Well, THAT made a whole lot of sense! You THINK you're good? Oh, god, I'm never going to get this moment back...

Historia grit her teeth, death gripping the wooden arms of her chair.

One…

Two…

Three...

Levi cleared his throat, not meeting anyone's gaze. He looked like he still wanted to say something, but had forgotten how to speak altogether.

The look of unbridled glee on Nile's face as he looked between them, made Historia think she might as well have given him a permanent key to the palace's food storage.

Four…

Five…

Six...

I can't look anymore. Historia took a leaf out of Levi's book, and scrutinized every individual fine grain of wood in the table.

I can't tell which one of us is the hopelessly lost cause. He started this conversation, but I gave it the power to keep living.

Seven…

Eight…

Nine…

It felt like Historia was walking barefoot over a path of rusty nails.

Somebody please save us from ourselves!

Ten…

Eleven…

Twelve...

Levi cleared his throat for the sixth time when Nile had finally had enough.

"Is there something in your throat there, captain," He couldn't keep his voice from shaking, like he was mere moments from breaking into uncontrolled hysterics. Tears congregated in the corners of his squinched eyes.

Both their heads snapped up.

Historia just stared at Nile.

Maybe he can save this.

Levi, however, bolted to his feet, shaking in a vehement rage. If Historia was being profoundly honest, he stood the same way scouts did when they were about to brutally slay concourses of titans. Nile just stared back at him. Everything from the way he slouched to his raised brow screamed "just try it".

The skin on the captain's knuckles was white.

This is the kind of situation I can actually read…Thanks to Jean and Eren fighting pretty much always. Ymir always used to joke that they—

Historia coughed suddenly. She made enough of a hacking wheeze that she drew both Nile and Levi's attention, if for no other reason than to see if she was sending herself into an early grave.

Can't have the new queen choke on her own spit and die because you were all too distracted killing each other. Nice to know you're a valuable part of keeping ranking officers alive.

Now that she had both the blockhead's focus on her she couldn't help but shrivel a bit and cling to the arms of her chair unappeasably. It felt like she could strip the whole chair down to scraps from just the pressure in her fingernails.

"Uhh," Eloquently put, dunce. Historia winced, "How about we start the briefing…"

Levi sat down. Nile pulled a stack of papers and a rolled map from a satchel under the table.

"Ahh, right," Levi had brandished the illusion of hunter and prey while regarding Nile just seconds ago. Why did it fall away and show Historia this markedly distracted, insubstantial, and remote person now?

"The underground," The captain's voice held no inflection, but to Historia it seemed like he was whispering. The same way someone would whisper to a terrified child.

"What do I need to know about it?"

Nile snorted. Historia glanced over as he continued.

"I doubt anything we can teach you would prepare you for that," he coughed slightly, "With all due respect, that's why you shouldn't be coming, your highness. In fact, we can easily carry on without you—"

Historia snorted, attempting to cover the hurt she felt. This AGAIN? I'm not helpless.

"Well, excuse me, but I hope everyone remembers how they made sure to pick a queen that wasn't a dandelion in the snow. I've been through the military. I've finished titans without assists. I hope at the very least you don't forget how I dealt the killing blow to Rod Reiss," Dad... Historia stopped abruptly, like she'd run too close to a sheer ledge. She continued slowly, "I'm sure that nothing can be too much after that…I'm sure I can handle it."

Stop telling the queen what they can't do!

Historia let out a breath after that, feeling her outburst run out of steam. She looked down, and pursed her lips. She hadn't meant to rant, but… well, it was like she said. A queen not a dandelion.

"Historia, have you ever been robbed?"

What the hell?

She arched her eyebrow at a somber Levi.

"...Not that I'm aware of."

"Ever been anywhere… unsavory," The word was spoken like the captain could actually taste it," Some areas of Trost are like that…"

"...not really," Historia could feel a frustration beginning to grow.

Of course I haven't been there! Levi, of all the people on the mission YOU know the most about my old life. Why bother asking?

"What about the farm you lived on," the captain continued, searching Historia's face intently. "Were there ever too many workers and not enough resources to go around? Did anyone ever have less than enough, and was segregated, or maybe caused a racket about it?"

"No," Historia supplied, "Every one had enough to get by," She thought of Freida, "and any conflict we did have was resolved quickly."

Levi glanced at Nile as if unsure of how to continue. The man at the end of the table shrugged almost imperceptibly.

"Captain Levi," Historia said, flat toned," I understand and accept that I don't know the state of the people in the underground. Sure, I'll admit I'm absolutely clueless." Levi looked back at her, leaning heavily on the table, "But I need you to understand."

Nile was looking at her too now. Historia pursed her lips, eyes finding her shaking hands.

But I can not… I won't… leave anyone who I can help. Never," She looked up with conviction, and met the eyes of her silent companions, "It doesn't matter where they're from. That means going into the underground. ME going. That's why I'm here!...as queen, I mean."

Historia could have sworn she saw people in those empty seats between Levi and Nile. With the warm supporting smile of Freida, and adoring dedicated glint in Ymir's eye, Historia couldn't help but grin hesitantly.

"I owe it to too many people to stop trying before I've even started. If we can't give them a chance to live lives better than ours, then who can? So, understand or don't, I'm going to help the children underground. This mission is the most important thing I can do as a queen."

She was met with even more silence. However, it wasn't the agonizing gritty silence from earlier. This was soothing. Concentrated. Historia gave the smallest of salutes to the empty seats, before Nile spoke.

"I understand, Queen Historia," Historia cocked her head. Nile's voice was much more emotional than normal. She looked to Levi.

His face might have been intimidating, with all it's low hard lines, but Historia swore she saw a small grin grace the captain's cold exterior. When she met his dark eye's he gave her a hard sharp nod. In another person, Historia thought his reaction might be similar to publicly swearing fealty to her cause.

"Right then," Historia ended the moment, and cut the silence out of the air, "Tell me about the mission. And this time you don't have to ask if I know anything. Assume that I don't."

"Yes," Levi looked pointedly at Nile by whom the stack of papers and rolled maps lay. "Nile—if you would."

The commander rolled his eyes, brandishing a map from the stack and rolling its crisp edges out on the table. Historia's eyes breezed over the gold etchings, the waterways and intricate textures drawn on by skilled hands. Red dashes marked alleys and buildings throughout the map of Mitrias, scarring it. There were about twelve in total.

"There are thirteen entrances to the underground." Levi pointed at the dashes. "Nine run under Military Police rule, three have substantial damage and cave-ins to the main passages, leaving us with one in the private possession of the noble Nicholas Lovof."

Nile scoffed, but hushed after yet another glare from Levi.

"We will be taking his stairs into the underground."

"Why?" Historia asked.

"Glad you asked." Nile cut in. "Since no one knows you're in on this princess, we can't use Military Police stairways. They keep too many records, permits and all, it's a lot of paperwork and I don't want to get into faking all of that. Plus, we don't want someone seeing you there on accident and spreading the word underground that the Queen is coming to spend the summer there."

Historia bristled at the nickname. Princess?

"Additionally," Levi noted. "We'll need to keep our distance from the other squads going underground. We sent the first three down today, and the last four will join them tomorrow. We have them stationed at safe houses throughout the district with directions to search specific sectors. So long as we stay out of those general areas, we shouldn't have a problem with them."

"Though," Nile stroked his mustache. "They are there as backup if we get into a pinch."

"Which won't happen." Historia added firmly. She wouldn't let anything happen. Not if she could do anything about it.

Wood scraped on the floor as Levi pushed his chair back, walking to the pile of maps, and instead of asking Nile for assistance, rummaged through the pile himself until locating another map. Nile in turn, held back an eye roll as Levi laid a much older map on top of the other one.

"This is the underground." He said, smoothing out the crinkled edges of the faded paper.

Historia's eyes flew across it, trying to sort through unfamiliar shapes and streets. She liked to think she was good with maps, but this one seemed decades old and rarely updated.

"Is this the newest map we have?" She asked, not bothering to mask the doubt in her voice.

"Unfortunately yes." Nile answered, glancing at her. "We don't send many people down there to begin with, let alone cartographers."

Now it was Historia's turn to hold back an eye roll. It wasn't Nile's fault, but she couldn't believe how incapable the previous government had been! She liked to think she was doing a better job in a few days than they had done in 100 years, and she was a teenager!

"It's fine." Levi said, scanning the lines on a map like they described an old friend. His eyes flicked from side to side, calculating. "We won't need it much."

Right. Maybe Historia should just ask Levi to draw them a new map. Or at least to help document the underground a bit better.

"Where will we be primarily working?" She asked curiously.

"All over. I have several leads I've been thinking of. We'll set up camp somewhere in this area—" He gestured to a side part of the map. "—and work until we find something or until we decide to end this."

He looked up at her, a funny expression crossing his face.

"The Scouts are discussing further plans for the expedition to retake Wall Maria. Erwin is requesting I be ready for leave anytime between three to four weeks."

"Meaning we have until then to get this up and going without you." Nile finished for him. "Well that shouldn't be too hard. We have eight patrols, counting us. That's 23 of us, all working around the clock."

Historia nodded. This was looking good. Really good. A warm feeling fluttered up from her stomach, and she couldn't help but smile. It was finally coming together.

"You have my word that you will be able to leave when you are requested, regardless of the state of the operation." She directed towards Levi. "I just ask that you give as much time as you are able."

He nodded without speaking.

"What about your covers?" She asked, changing the subject. "How are you accounting for the fact that you're supposedly not going underground?"

Levi paced back over to his chair, sitting and crossing his arms. "Armin will take care of that. I've briefed him on the mission and your role. He's trustworthy and smart enough to talk any nosy brats that come sniffing our way out of our hair."

He paused, glancing at Nile.

"Though, aside from the four of us, Armin included, no one else knows you are going underground."

The serious inflection in his voice made Historia gulp back a flash of fear.

"Actually, I uh—may have entrusted that information to a few others." Nile said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "But I trust both of them with my life, and I wouldn't have told them if I didn't think we'd need their help."

Levi's head whipped to Nile so fast Historia worried he might have sprained something. "Who?" He demanded.

"Captain Burns." Nile answered. "I know you already turned down his offer for help, but I feel that we need him. He runs every military police operation in the capital and has for the past year. He's as trustworthy as they come, not to mention he's the one supplying us with soldiers. Without his help this will be a lot harder to pull off."

Levi's eyes narrowed a fraction. "Who else?"

"My second in command Adelia. She actually went underground with the first three patrols a few hours ago. I've known her since she was a toddler and I personally picked her to take charge of the underground squads. She's practically family, even babysits my kids every once in a while."

He looked between the two.

"You can trust them both, I swear."

"I believe you Commander." Historia gave a quick nod.

Levi held his glare for a moment longer, clearly not liking the news Nile had just said.

"Fine." He sighed. "But you should have checked with me first."

"I'm sorry, I must have missed when you became the new Commander in Chief." Nile sneered.

Levi slammed his fist into the table.

"Do you think this is a joke—"

"That's enough!" Historia interrupted, surprising herself as both sets of eyes flashed to her. "I don't want to regret choosing either of you for this mission, but you're making me doubt my faith in the military." She gave them both a pointed look.

They really are like children.

This was going to be an interesting operation.

But, she resigned, glancing again at the empty seats. This wasn't about her. It was about them. The others, the children.

Levi sighed as he brushed a hand over his head.

"When we're underground we need to constantly be on our toes. Anything could happen at any moment, so we can't exactly not be telling each other everything." He glared at Nile. "Regardless, Historia's safety comes above everything else. If things get too dangerous, we leave. If the other patrols report too much danger, we leave. We're not going there to frolic around in shit."

Historia nodded.

"We're going to be fine Captain. I trust both of you to keep things under control."

"Well?" He asked, glancing around the palace hallway. It was empty save for the two of them.

"It's better than we expected." The other man said, joining him in the torchlight as the night stretched on. "They aren't telling anyone that the Queen is going underground."

He froze, heart skipping a beat.

"Are you serious? No one at all?"

"Well, aside from a few people, but yes." The other man answered. "I didn't stay for long, but I overheard them talking logistics about sneaking her down with them. It will just be Levi, Nile, and her alone for at least a few weeks."

He couldn't believe his ears. This was beyond what he could have hoped for!

He smiled at his friend. "Good work. We could have never made it this far without you. We have a lot to plan."

His friend nodded back and left without another word. His silhouette faded until it melted into the darkness.

The man sighed, smiling. For the first time in years things were finally going right. Levi was walking right into the palm of his hand and bringing the new queen with him.

They would be vulnerable underground, vulnerable enough to be destroyed.

And without Historia, the government would crumble.

And he would be there to pick up the pieces

...----------------...

...please like and comment this story (◕ᴗ◕✿)...

Historia Riess

One . . . two . . .

Historia inhaled slowly, detecting a hint of sweetness in the breeze.

Three . . .

Muscles tensed, she felt the pressure against her feet pressed firmly to the brick alleyway, her back against the wall.

Four . . .

A dark wave of nervousness rolled around her stomach like a swarm of insects.

Five . . . six . . . seven . .

She exhaled.

Eight . . . nine . . . ten . .

That's it! I can't take it anymore!

"Will you stop?!" She whipped around, ponytail slicing the air and barely missing Levi's face.

The glare he leveled at her rivaled her own.

"Stop what?" He demanded, taking a step towards her. Too close.

"That!" She hissed, jerking back.

His frown deepened. "We set pretty clear conditions. You don't leave my sight. Ever. So what's your problem?"

She held back an eye roll. "This," she made a circling gesture around herself, "Is my space. I'm not going to die if you aren't standing within a meter of me."

Levi snorted, making her ears turn red.

"Don't laugh! You're hovering!"

Realization flickered on his face, but he hid it with a sneer. "Whatever, I'm not here to coddle you." Thankfully, he shuffled back a few steps, casting his eyes across the courtyard outside the alley they stood in.

As Historia's nerves calmed after chastising the Captain, she immediately regretted the outburst. His hovering wasn't that bad really...just annoying. With his back to her now, she kicked herself. Why couldn't she just deal with it? Her bodyguards at the palace were much worse. There, she could hardly go to the bathroom without someone close enough to hear her pee. That was beyond awkward.

And at least Levi could be reasoned with. Plus, Nile didn't hover at all. In fact, the longer she spent around the Police Commander the more indifferent he acted towards her royal title. It was different, but strangely refreshing to be treated as a human and not a queen.

Oh well, She sighed, following Levi's gaze into the courtyard beyond.

It bustled with the activity of a day winding down. Merchants packed up their carts, the smells of their baked goods fading as they did so. Golden sunlight danced around small feet as children chased each other across the cobblestones. Mothers chatted idly while carrying their shopping from the day.

Orange clouds rolled sparsely above them, shattering the blue with dark shades and vivid light. In the dead of summer, the warm and humid days usually chased off any clouds, but these remained. As if god himself painted the sky with a few quick strokes.

The beauty of the simple moment struck her more intensely than she expected. What must it be like to live a normal life? Without responsibility? No politics or war to fight, only sun and life. Her legs itched to join the thrall of kids, dashing through their mother's skirts. She longed to go shopping and smell the flower bouquets.

Especially with where they were about to go.

Stop getting distracted! She chastised herself.

The knot in her stomach returned.

She searched for Nile's short choppy hair on the rooftop across from them. Spotting his dark shape against the golden light, she frowned.

"How much longer until the guard changes?"

Levi fixed his eyes on Nile. "Soon. Be ready."

Historia sucked in a shaky breath.

Why am I so nervous?

Levi glanced at her, noticing every one of her small movements. Her annoyance flared, but thankfully, he made no motion to move by her. He looked like he was about to say something, or like he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. After a moment, he turned back to Nile.

She grimaced. He probably hates talking to me...I'm so young and clueless and he's so composed. Either that or he's nervous too—

Suddenly, he stiffened.

"Nile's gone." He whispered.

Historia tensed.

"Get ready to move. He'll be here any second." Levi motioned her over.

THUD

THUD

THUD

Her heart hammered against her chest.

Here we go

Historia moved to Levi's side, straining her ears for Nile's heavy footsteps over the din of the courtyard.

Carts rumbled down walkways. Birds chirped on tall rooftops. Children laughed and squealed.

There!

A distinct, hard footfall thumped it's way over to them.

She found her throat dry as she swallowed. This was her last chance to change her mind, to cancel the operation. This was her last moment being untouched by the world below.

Once again, inadequacy struck her. Who was she to boldly announce a rescue operation in a realm she'd never come within a hundred meters of? Who was she to nobly sacrifice for people who didn't give a crap about her or humanity above the surface?

What if it was all a bad idea? The delusions of a child who had never held true power?

Nile burst into the alleyway, his grey cloak trailing in behind him. They all wore them. Dark and nondescript.

"Let's go." He announced.

A flurry of cloaks and the alley was empty.

"How long do we have." Levi asked, pulling his hood over his head as they entered the courtyard. Historia did the same. None of them could afford to be recognized here. That would set them back hours, if not days. Levi didn't have that time, and she needed him in on this. She was still beyond grateful he was coming at all...even though she had definitely guilt tripped him into it.

"I had some men leave a little wine outside the check in station, just in case." Nile chuckled, heels clacking against the cobblestones. "It ought to keep them occupied for a while. Lovof might pay his men well, but nobles attract nobles, laziness attracts laziness, and lazy men love their drink."

Historia couldn't see Levi's face with his hood up, but she saw him give a slight nod in Nile's direction.

"Perfect." He remarked. "I'm glad we could count on your expertise in alcohol and laziness."

Nile shot him an annoyed look.

That makes two of us Nile. Historia thought, a half smirk forming on her face.

They continued across the courtyard.

Their target building stood in the only part of the area that wasn't busy with customers. Wooden rafters and decorative brick lined the normal looking structure. If Historia hadn't been told otherwise, she never would have suspected the newer store as a front.

The Violet Palette the sign on the door read in a fancy script.

Mannequins lined the store windows, boasting styles and swatches of bright fabrics. Vivid laces and silks draped around flashy dresses, and Historia found it all repulsing. In her opinion, only the finest and most haughty of noble ladies wore such wretched things. Terrible people.

Although, she noted, maybe the store did give itself away partly. No one would wear the dresses hanging there, let alone buy them. The styles were too outdated. With how picky the nobles she knew were, she felt a flash of pity for the owners of the store.

"Did you trigger the distraction?" Nile asked, skepticism dripping off his voice. He and Levi walked in step just ahead of Historia as they crept along the shaded corners of the courtyard.

"I know you aren't one for patience, but it will be sounding off any second now." Levi pointed out.

As if on cue, gunshots started ringing through the alleys and side passes. People in the courtyard reacted immediately. Screams and yells echoed right alongside the explosive sounds.

Smoke started pouring from the alley they'd come from as well as several other side passageways. People flooded from buildings, and seeing the chaos, added their cries to the throng. The courtyard turned to mass panic. Mothers grabbed their children, vendors abandoned their goods.

Most importantly, the employees of the Violet Palette spilled out onto the street.

"Tch," Nile clicked his tongue. "Always so dramatic with you isn't it."

Historia watched people rush past them as they neared the shop. Some brave ones ran into the alley the smoke originated from. Although she and Levi had hid the smoke bomb and cracking powder well, it would be discovered quickly. They didn't have much time.

"Those men just ran into the alley." She voiced to her comrades. "We should hurry."

The three of them ran the last few meters to the shop doorway, which had been left open. Nile ducked inside, but Levi stopped at the frame, motioning her inside ahead of him. She slid into the room, pausing to see what caught his eye.

His gaze was fixed on the setting sun. So intense. So...desperate. As if he was drowning and the sun was his only lifeline.

It terrified her.

His eyes flicked to her as if realizing she was watching him.

"What?" he growled.

"Are you coming?" She said, covering a flash of embarrassment.

He didn't answer, but sighed and moved inside.

The two of them ducked behind shelves of fabric, moving further into the building. If possible, the dresses that hung here were even more extravagant than the ones in the window. They hung from racks around the small space, billowing and flamboyant. However, now Historia actually found herself grateful for their sleek folds and boisterous skirts. No one would see them from outside.

They located Nile by a door in the back. "It's got to be somewhere back here…" He muttered under his breath. The hinges creaked as he pushed open a musty storage room.

A blast of cold hit her face.

"Looks more like a closet to hell than an entrance to the underground." She remarked.

"Is there a difference?" Levi deadpanned.

Nile moved ahead of them into the room. "Levi, come help me look in here. It's completely different with the store renovation, but I think the entrance is in here."

Levi moved to follow the tall commander, but paused, turning to her.

"Stay here." He motioned. "But keep watch and tell us immediately if someone starts coming this way."

"I will!" She promised.

She folded herself into a rack of dresses, the musty air of day old perfume filling her nostrils. From her vantage point, she could peer out into the activity filled courtyard but still had eyes on the two men in the storage closet.

The air grew quiet and still, much in contrast with the continued chaos outside. Historia watched as several Military Police appeared, uniforms crisp and clean, confusion lining their brows. One of them, a younger woman with short chopped hair and glasses, questioned a bystanding vendor. Her eyes flashed and she bolted off in the direction of the smoke. Two other officers followed.

The distraction is working.

Historia allowed herself to let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

Although her nerves about the underground came at her with a twisting force, another part of her stressed about being discovered before they even made it down there. If someone from the Military Police or worse, the Scouting Legion, discovered her and the two high ranking officers sneaking around she'd never be allowed to enter the underground district. It would take months to develop a "safe" enough plan for her to travel into the gloomy place. Months that she knew children down there didn't have.

She huffed at the ridiculousness of it all. The queen, not be allowed to do as she pleased? How much power did she even hold?

Plus, Nile and Levi would both suffer great consequences from aiding her in the 'technically' illegal conquest. Their ranks would be stripped at best. She didn't want to consider more terrible fates.

And it would all be her fault.

She shook her head, clearing the thoughts from her mind.

She did another visual sweep of the courtyard when, crap!

One of the vendors outside was talking to a new MP and pointing in the direction of the shop. Alarm growing, she watched as the MP nodded and cautiously made his way over to the exuberant store.

Suddenly feeling very exposed, despite being folded into a puffy orange flower of a dress, she quietly called out to the men in the room.

"Someone's coming! An MP!"

Levi met her anxious expression. He opened his mouth to respond when

CLICK

A sound, loud enough to echo through the store, rung from the small room.

"Yes!" Nile whooped.

"Shhhhh!" Historia hissed, ducking out of her hiding spot. She glanced back out the window at the MP only to find him gone.

Where did he go-

CREAK

The front door of the shop groaned open and Historia froze.

The small room stretched open just meters from her position...across an aisle visible from the front door.

Levi kept his eyes trained on her, one hand raised toward Nile in a cautious motion.

Historia saw a gaping black expanse behind an open doorway inside the room.

They had found the entrance!

CLACK

CLACK

Footsteps against the unpolished wood floor probed into the store.

"Who is in here." The voice of the MP boomed.

Historia exhaled softly, daring to breathe. She could lie and say she had been dress shopping and hid when she heard the gunshots. Or, she could sneak around the racks and shelves and knock the man out from behind.

Her eyes flicked to the shadow cast in the golden light of the sun as it approached her position.

Neither of the options struck her fancy.

"I SAID WHO IS IN HERE!" The MP shouted again.

Movement from the storage closet drew her eyes back to Nile. He abruptly pulled his gun from a hidden holster in his boot and quietly moved to the doorframe. Eyes as wide as saucers, Historia watched him bring the gun to his face and cock it.

She shook her head furiously, but that didn't stop him from bursting into the aisle, barrel pointed directly at the MP.

"Ahhh!" She heard the MP shout.

"Hands in the air-Soldier..?" Nile feigned surprise.

"C-commander Dok!" The MP stuttered out. "What are-why-what are you doing?'

Nile relaxed his hold on the pistol, resting the barrel down at the ground. Levi met her eyes again as she visibly relaxed.

Nile's got this. He seemed to say.

"I could ask the same for you. And my apologies for startling you..uh, you have a name soldier?" Nile questioned, gesturing to the MP.

"Coleman Sir! Lance Coleman!" came the reply.

"Lance, eh?" Nile chuckled. "Well sorry again for that display a moment ago. I was out in the town with my wife and saw three crooks scrounge in here a few minutes back. I came to check the place, but found it empty. When I heard the door open I thought it was one of them coming to off me."

"Of course not, Sir!" Lance said. "And my sincere apologies too, Sir!"

Nile waved a dismissive hand in the air. "All is forgiven Lance. Just an embarrassing mistake."

"I was talking to a vendor outside who said there were three people wearing dark clothing that came in here. We think they may have been the ones who caused the disturbance outside."

"That's probably the case." Nile's brow creased in thought.

Shit! Historia thought. Nile is wearing dark clothing!

"Well," Nile continued firmly, "There's no one in here. I just finished checking the back room when you burst in here. They must have escaped through the window or something."

Comotion burst from outside, and all of them turned to listen.

"Sounds like they found something." Lance voiced.

"You go on ahead of me." Nile pointed. "There's one more thing I want to check before I join you."

"Of course Sir!" Lance announced before Historia heard the rapid click of his boots leaving the store.

Nile shook his head, annoyed, after the MP disappeared.

"Seemed like a good kid. And, if he's a good cop too, he'll be back. I don't think he fully believed me."

Historia dashed across the aisle and into the small room, grateful for the time Nile bought them. She stopped short, faltering at the entrance to the underground.

Cool air from the gaping black expanse streamed across her cheeks, rustling the loose strands of her hair that were too short for her ponytail. Light barely touched the deepness, disappearing less than a meter past the doorway. It opened up like a scar in the Earth, the vein of it trailing down its very heart.

It was terrifying.

And exhilarating.

This is it. You can't change your mind now.

She took one step, then another. Her feet crossed the threshold, while her heart screamed at her to turn back.

Nile trailed in behind her, shutting the door to the entrance behind them with a hiss. The light from the evening sunlight disappeared entirely leaving them stranded in thick blackness.

Historia tried to suppress a shiver.

She heard Levi and Nile shuffling into the expanse and moved to follow them. Ice crawled up her veins.

Oh my god...it's so dark!

She couldn't breathe.

There was no air in here.

Instead of thinking rationally, she reached her hands out in blind panic, scrambling for something, anything, solid in the darkness.

Her right hand smacked into something soft.

"Oi," Levi's voice hissed from her right. "Are you trying to take out my back?"

Her face flushed.

"Sorry!" She whispered immediately, jerking her hand away. "I-I just—I can't see a thing!"

"Please tell me you brought a torch." Nile's dry voice came from her left. "And tell me you weren't planning on us literally walking blindly to our deaths.

Historia didn't dare take another step forward. She heard movement from the right and then gasped as a hand gently wrapped around her left arm.

"Relax." Levi sounded near her ear. "It's just me."

Hands trembling, she tried to calm her furiously beating heart. "Sorry!" She breathed again.

She heard more movement then Nile let out a choked breath.

"What are you—?" He hissed. "Oh hell no! No offense, low pockets, but you're the last person I want to hold hands with."

"Fine by me." Levi retorted in a low voice. "I'd rather see you walk off the side of the stairs to your death anyways."

More shuffling.

"I'll just-er...hold your cloak." Nile said.

Historia could practically see Levi rolling his eyes.

"Come on." the shorter man said. "Let's go."

He began moving forward, lightly pulling on her wrist as he did so. Historia stumbled a little moving further into the darkness.

How can he be so confident?

Her body stopped shaking, but she still shivered every few seconds.

"Stairs." Levi warned.

She froze, stretching out an unsteady foot. The uneven ground disappeared before her, and as she lowered her foot into dark uncertainty, it finally made contact with another low patch of familiar rocky ground.

She let out a shaky breath.

I can do this.

Levi slowed, seeming to understand her hesitancy. Her next foot fell downward until connecting with her second step down the underground stairway.

Then the next step passed under her and the next one.

She grasped onto Levi's guiding hand, hoping he wouldn't notice the death-like intensity it held. The stairs were moderately steep, but in the cool darkness each one felt like a slick boulder, waiting for her to slip and fall to her doom.

Eventually, the air around them grew denser, as if hitting a wall. Their footsteps stopped echoing in the void, and they came to a stop.

Levi let go of her hand, and she stifled a gasp. She was all alone in complete darkness.

"There's a door here," He said. "Hang on."

Historia was glas no one could see her face, feel her heart trembling. The walls she couldn't see pressed in on her, trapping her. Suffocating.

*CLICK*

*HISS*

A crack in the darkness opened and...

Light.

Beautiful light.

It slugged it's way into the tunnel, orange like fire, illuminating the rock walls like feeble moonlight.

She tripped over herself hurrying towards it.

The three of them spilled out onto a wooden landing in a larger tunnel. Bright, fiery torches lined the walls, lit every few meters. The landing led to, unsurprisingly, more stairs, which trailed on downwards.

Despite the torchlight, the air chilled her to the bone.

"How far down do we have to go?" She dared to ask.

"Until the air isn't fresh and you feel like you'll never be warm again." Levi's expressionless face peered down the stairs.

Nile mouthed my god and rolled his eyes. "It's not much further Princess." He winked, trying to lighten the mood. "They didn't renovate this part. We just go down this passage and BOOM! Underground city!"

"Oh wow, that close?" She appreciated his attempt to keep the atmosphere light, but her stomach twisted relentlessly anyways.

"Yep!" He said, popping the 'p'. "But look at the bright side, at least we don't have to hold hands anymore.

Levi glared as he shut the door to the landing with a CLANG that echoed down the brick-lined tunnel. "Are you all done chatting or should we keep waiting here?"

"Shorty's right." Nile announced, cracking his back. "Best not to stand around. Shall we?" He gestured downwards.

"Lead the way." Historia smiled.

He chuckled, jumping down to the first steps. She followed a moment later, Levi bringing up the rear.

Despite the light, none of them spoke as they descended through the dim tunnel, as if they were trudging to a funeral. Historia found her mind wandering yet again. What awaited them at the bottom of the steps? What lives would they change? Would any of them expect their queen to fall so low as to bring them up from the dust?

She decided it wasn't danger that filled her with unease. How could it with her present company? She trusted the two men with unwavering confidence. Unless something went drastically wrong, which was unlikely, their safety was guaranteed.

No, it wasn't thugs or knives that scared her.

If anything, the thing that kept her awake at night, that set her heart trembling and filled her with doubt was herself.

Was she really brave enough to face this, or was it all a mask that would crumble at the first sight of trouble?

The stairs evened out onto another landing, cutting off her thoughts. A metal door awaited them, dull gray and bricked into the wall.

Nile strode up to it, pulling at the handle. It swung open easily, revealing an unknown dimness on the other side. Not dark per say, but she couldn't make out anything except vague shapes

"Well, here we are." He announced proudly, as if he was showing them something he'd created himself. "Not too bad of a view, is it?"

She walked through the the door and immediately lost her ability to speak.

Levi took three steps out of the door, past her, and stopped dead in his tracks.

"Shit." he announced.

"Is that the only word in your vocabulary?" Nile scoffed, moving to stand beside him.

Historia pushed them out of her way, unable to believe her eyes.

The city.

Amidst the gloomy dampness, the underground city stood like an old resolute house against a windstorm. It spread across the massive space like a wildfire, burning with color and life. Spires, buildings, and towers stacked up onto rocky slopes and down cliffs. Hundreds. Thousands! All cowering under the cavernous ceiling as giant stalagmite-like columns stretched from the ground to high above them. Streets carved their way through the void, lights twinkling through all of them.

Darkness loomed around every edge, a reminder of the eternal night of the underground.

"It's...it's...huge…" She breathed.

"What did you expect?" Nile retorted.

She opened her mouth to answer then shut it. She didn't know what she'd been expecting...but it certainly hadn't been this.

This changes everything . . .

"Still have that death wish of yours?" Levi drawled. "You might understand better now, this won't be an easy operation. It's not too late to turn—"

"No." Historia answered with more firmness than she felt.

If we turn around now I'll never come back.

"We're not turning back. We can't" She finished.

Levi shrugged as if to say suit yourself. "In that case, let me give you a proper introduction."

He flourished an arm dramatically over the expanse, drawing her eyes to each area of it.

"Your Majesty . . . welcome . . . to the City of Hell."

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