Tainted (Levi x Reader)

Chapter 37

One week earlier

Levi led his horse along the familiar path through the hills. He'd been staying just outside of Orvud District, going into the city when he needed to restock supplies or send and receive letters. But not today. It had only been a couple days, and he already missed you terribly, but looked forward to seeing you and hearing another of your excited recounts of your training with the girl from the orphanage, Anya.

He steadily climbed the rise of a hill and came to an abrupt halt at the top, his eyes widening and his mouth falling open in shock. In the distance, the lush forest he was used to was charred and blackened, with parts on the far side of it still sending up thick billows of smoke. How had he failed to notice it sooner?

(Y/n)! Heart racing with a nauseating mixture of dread and desperation, Levi quickly mounted his horse and snapped the reins, making for the burnt down forest at full speed. He reached it and paused to undo his cravat and retie it so that it covered his mouth and nose.

Rushing past barely recognizable landmarks like some sort of vague dream turned nightmare, Levi located the opening of the ravine and continued along the bottom until a fallen tree blocked his path. With a growl of frustration, he dismounted and continued on foot. His 3DMG was still equipped, even though the brittle remains of trees would prove too unstable to use it on anyway.

He eventually reached the overhang, but it was abandoned. It looked as if more debris had fallen in, spreading the fire to your belongings. There was no body, and no tracks. Any signs of escape could have been covered by this layer of ash, Levi thought with some relief. She could have made it out.

He took a moment to inspect the camp more thoroughly. You'd clearly left in a hurry. The charred remains of your blanket looked as if it'd been thrown from the mat. You were like him, not one to leave things untidy if you could help it. So if she escaped, she must be hurt somewhere. Otherwise she'd have found her way right to me. Levi felt his heart quicken once again. That was when he heard a loud, startled cry echo through the otherwise dead forest.

Drawing his swords instinctively, Levi turned sharply to see a small shape stumbling toward him along the bottom of the ravine. As it approached, he saw that it was only a child, covered in soot and one arm crossing her body to clutch the other, as if in pain.

She stopped in her tracks, blue eyes wide as she spotted him.

Could this be Anya? Either way, it can't hurt to try to get some info. "I'm looking for my friend, have you seen a woman around here?" he demanded, struggling to keep the edge out of his tone.

The girl eyed him suspiciously. "Who's asking?"

Levi gritted his teeth. "Look, she could be in trouble. Just tell me if you've seen anything."

Her eyes narrowed and she shifted her weight to lean to one side. "I haven't. No one comes around here, and for good reason. I suggest you be on your way."

This brat is lying through her teeth. "Cut the crap. I know all about you, Anya. My comrade is the one training you. Is she okay?"

Surprise was written all over the girl's face, but her expression hardened once more. "I can tell by your cape that you're a soldier. My mentor was no soldier. So it's easy to conclude that you're hunting her to arrest her."