Beneath The Flies • 《 Levi × Reader 》

《 Chapter 1 》• Marleyan Tongue

Adorned in the fabric of our enemies, speaking their language with an articulated accent from many moons of precise practice, we wander these paved roads like a herd of sheep- Sheep with no shepherd other than the incandescent light of the unyielding sun.

It spilt out over the crowd, shreds of ghastly white reflecting off the merchant stands stationed along the bustling streets.

The faint murmur of the ocean behind us lapped hypnotically against the port, splashing up and then back down, foam splaying against the stone roads as it reached toward the crowd scattered along the street. It continued to do this as we stood motionless, as if dancing in a neverending way that was expressing how amazed we were by the sight that loomed before us.

Then, as if the silence of our shock had finally recognized how long it stretched for, a familiar face stepped out from the crowd and offered up a conversation.

"Welcome to the continent of Marley! I will be your guide to the Azumabito Estate," The holder of the voice removed their white hat that was laced around the middle with a dark rim. They bowed in greeting, smiling brightly.

"Onyankopon!" Hange, the Commander of the Survey Corps from within the Walls of Eldia gasped in blissful delight. They returned Onyankopon's courteous smile, raising her hand in a waving gesture to show a more welcoming response.

Onyankopon put his hat back on swiftly. "I'm glad you all made it!" He began, enthusiasm lacing his voice. "What do you think of Marley's biggest port? Fascinating isn't it?" He inquired proudly, as if attempting to shine light upon this place despite the crimes that befell our homeland originating from hands of the government that resided here.

I liked Onyankopon, but couldn't conceal the twinge of irritation that welled up in my gut at his choice of words.

Everyone seemed to be in glamorous astonishment at what they saw here, but I wasn't very keen to admit anything positive about it. I was standing behind Sasha Braus, one of the few Soldiers whom survived the retaking of Wall Maria.

My mind wandered, recalling the battered organs of the previous Commander and the way the light in his eyes was plucked out by the disgruntled fingers of death. That expedition was nothing short of brutal and unhealing, an event that left a seering wound that would forever ferment in our frail hearts.

I bit my tongue as I shifted to look out past the heads of the mass of people, my eyes catching glimpse of a strange being that rolled into view, a spurt of smoke trailing behind it.
I blinked, my lips parting as I unwillingly gaped in a stupefied expression.

The others seemed to spot it too, gasps roaring out from their mouths.

"Wha- What is that?! A horse?! ... No, it looks nothing like it, what-" Connie, one of the other kids, cut himself off, amazement and plain confusion ringing through his words as he thrust his index finger outward, pointing directly at it. 

Sasha followed where he pointed, her irises flashing with disbelief. "That's gotta be some sort of cow... Right?!" She turned to Hange for clarification, too stunned to form anymore coherent sentences.

Hange grinned, the lenses of their glasses gleaming avidly. She began walking forward, her feet carrying her childishly over the unfamiliar creature.

"It's a car! I've heard of 'em before!" She explained. "Hey, car!" Hange now broke into a sprint, their arms flailing wildly in the wind as she called out to it, trying to get It's attention- But to no avail.

The 'car' brushed past Hange's yowling, completely ignoring their pleads for it to slow down. Connie and Sasha ran after Hange, hot on her heals as they too were desperate to see just what it was.